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By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)/rdnewsNOW

be fraud aware

RCMP offer anti-scam tips for Fraud Prevention Month

Mar 28, 2023 | 10:03 AM

Alberta RCMP are sharing tips and resources to help the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association’s (ACCPA) efforts during what is Fraud Prevention Month (March).

This week, RCMP and the ACCPA are focusing on mass marketing and phone scams.

“With technology evolving at such a rapid rate, it’s no surprise that mass marketing and phone scams are adapting just as quickly,” says Cpl. Sean Milne, Alberta RCMP Provincial Economic Crime Team.

“With the click of a button, scammers can make direct contact with potential victims over the phone or online.”

This type of fraud includes, but is not limited to:

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· Phone scams;

· Fraudulent telemarketers;

· Mass mailouts and/or subscriptions;

· Emergency and/or grandparent scams;

· Work at home schemes;

· CRA scams;

· Foreign lottery or prize schemes;

· Overpayment schemes;

· Inheritance schemes; and,

· Credit card interested rate reduction schemes

To better protect yourself from mass marketing and phone scams, consider the following:

· Do not provide any personal information to an unknown caller;

· Do not allow yourself to be pressured by a caller with false deadlines;

· You have the right to say no to any questions and directly contact a business to speak to a designated representative.

If you are unsure of whether or not you are being targeted by a scam, visit the Government of Canada’s website to learn about common scam-types. If you have been the victim of fraud, report it to your local law enforcement and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online at www.antifraudcentre.ca, or by calling: 1-888-495-8501.

Be sure to contact your bank and credit card company if you believe your personal or financial information has been compromised.