{"id":6705,"date":"2024-03-22T10:29:24","date_gmt":"2024-03-22T17:29:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/route65.ca\/?p=6705"},"modified":"2024-03-22T10:29:29","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T17:29:29","slug":"fraud-prevention-month-stay-alert-on-top-fraudster-tactics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/route65.ca\/news\/fraud-prevention-month-stay-alert-on-top-fraudster-tactics\/","title":{"rendered":"Fraud Prevention Month: Stay Alert on Top Fraudster Tactics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With this year marking the 20th<\/sup> anniversary of Fraud Prevention Month, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC)<\/a> is highlighting the importance of protecting the public from fraud. This year\u2019s theme, \u201c20 years of fighting fraud: From then to now<\/strong>\u201d provides an overview of the main solicitation methods and how they have evolved over the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read below for the top solicitation methods by fraudsters to ensure that you and your loved ones are protected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Telephone<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on the number of reports received in 2023, telephone was the top solicitation method used by fraudsters. Over the last 20 years, technology related to fraudulent telephone calls has evolved. Fraudsters are now able to spoof phone numbers, automate calls and make \u201crobo\u201d calls. The evolution in technology has given fraudsters the ability to target many more Canadians over the last number of years. Fraudsters will commonly claim to be loved ones, law enforcement, financial institutions, or government agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cyber-Enabled Fraud (Email, Internet, Social Media, and Text Message)<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With more than 75% of reported losses associated to cyber-enabled fraud in 2023, the CAFC emphasizes how the cyber environment has changed over the last 20 years and how this has affected fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fraudsters have added social media platforms as one of their main tools to target victims. Whether they\u2019re using fraudulent ads, compromised social media accounts, or social media bots to collect personal information, fraudsters have taken advantage of social media to target Canadians.

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Though electronic mail fraud existed 20 years ago, fraudsters today have taken advantage of new technology at their disposal allowing them to make fraudulent emails more convincing. Email address spoofing in phishing and infiltrating networks before a spear phishing attack have added complexity to email fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mail<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While regular post mail fraud has decreased substantially over the last 20 years, the CAFC continues to receive reports of fraud initiated by mail. Fraudulent mail can come in the form of a fake inheritance letter claiming that you are entitled to a large sum of money because a distant relative has died. Fraudsters also send fraudulent prize letters claiming you\u2019ve won the \u201cbig prize.\u201d Once you call the phone number in the letter, fraudsters will ask for payments to cover fees or insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Door to Door\/In Person<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fraud initiated in person is very similar to what it looked like 20 years ago. Fraudsters might offer a service with little to no value or ask you to sign a contract for equipment that doesn\u2019t work properly. Fraudulent contractors might offer home improvement services such as roofing, driveway paving, or landscaping at a low price. Door-to-door fraudsters commonly use high-pressure sales tactics. Once payment, deposit, or prepayment is received, they disappear or provide a service of poor quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Warning signs and how to protect yourself<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n