Alberta has officially declared March as Fraud Prevention Month to help protect consumers from scams and fraud.
Minister of Service Alberta and red tape reduction, Dale Nally, made the announcement. He said the government is committed to keeping Albertans safe.
“For 20 years, Alberta has participated in Fraud Prevention Month. This year, we are taking an additional step by formally recognizing March as Fraud Prevention Month in Alberta through a ministerial order,” said Nally.
“This reinforces our commitment to consumer protection and ensuring Albertans have the awareness, tools, and resources they need to protect themselves from fraud.”
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The Alberta RCMP is also supporting the month-long awareness campaign, led by the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association (ACCPA). Additionally, the campaign aims to educate and inform consumers and communities about the impacts of fraud.
Relationship scams, investment scams, online scams, and phone scams are some of the key frauds to watch for this month. Furthermore, relationship scams include romance scams, grandparent scams, and extortion scams.
The RCMP advises, “Never send money to people you meet while online.”
Investment scams can involve social media, Ponzi schemes, cryptocurrency, real estate, and offshore investments.
“To avoid these, be wary of high-pressure sales tactics and pitches made over social media,” said Nally. “Education and awareness help Albertans recognize, reject, and report fraud before it starts.”
Online scams include phishing emails, job scams, tech repair scams, and impersonation scams. The RCMP warns, “If something sounds too good to be true, trust your gut and report it to your local police.”
Mass marketing and phone scams involve spoofed phone numbers, fake telemarketers, and Canadian Revenue Agency impersonation scams.
“Do not give your personal information to any unknown caller. Directly contact a business or organization to speak to a designated representative,” said the RCMP.
Meanwhile, Nally encouraged Albertans to use available resources to protect themselves.
“This Fraud Prevention Month, take time to explore some of the resources we have available online to learn how to protect yourself against fraud.”
If you believe you are a victim of fraud, report it to your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. Additionally, consumers who suspect a business of unfair practices can contact Alberta’s Consumer Investigations Unit at 1-877-427-4088.
For more information on how to avoid fraud, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s website and follow the RCMP on social media.
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