
Both officers fielded several questions after which Gail Catherwood offered our appreciation for a most informative (yet scary!) presentation of a very real issue pervading our entire community - well done to Brad and Ed.







FRAUD CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE
- Don’t be ashamed if you have become a victim
- Being a victim of a fraud is stressful – reach out for help
- STOP, CHALLENGE, PROTECT
Stop – take a moment and think
Challenge – reject, refuse or ignore
Protect – contact authorities
ROMANCE FRAUD
HOW IT WORKS:
- Offenders use social media/dating sites - create fake profiles.
- They develop relationships with victims
- Once they have gained your trust they will ask you to send money
RED FLAGS
- Profile too good to be true
- Individual professes love quickly and avoids meeting in person
- Claims to live close - but working overseas
- Wants private/different mode of communication
- Tries to isolate you from others
- TIPS
- Never send intimate photos/videos of yourself
- Ask specific questions - look for inconsistencies
- Never send/accept money
- Be suspicious if they always cancel plans to meet in person
EMERGENCY FRAUD
HOW IT WORKS:
- Offenders call - pretend to be your loved one in an emergency situation
- Another offender may claim to be police/lawyer representing your loved one.
- They will ask you to send money to help.
RED FLAGS
- Request payment by gift card, money transfer or Bitcoin
- Pressure to send payment by specific time
- Caller makes you feel rushed
- They ask you to keep this secret
TIPS
- Slow things down - verify the story
- Ask questions only your loved one would know
- Resist sharing identifying details
- Confirm whereabouts of family member or friend
- Never provide any personal/financial information over phone
CRA FRAUD
HOW IT WORKS:
- Offender calls claiming to be CRA employee
- Caller claims you have unpaid balances, owe back taxes or have a compromised social insurance number.
- Requests your personal information – threatens arrest if you don’t act immediately.
RED FLAGS
- Caller uses threatening or aggressive language
- Threatens to arrest or deport you
- Pressures you to make payment with a prepaid card, gift card or cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin
TIPS
- Never press ‘1’ to speak to an agent
- CRA never send links and ask for personal/financial information
- Never click on links in unsolicited communication
- Always locate legitimate CRA contact information – on your personal documents
BANK INVESTIGATOR FRAUD
HOW IT WORKS:
- Offender calls impersonating a bank official
- Asks for help with bank investigation – employee stealing money.
- They ask you to make a withdrawal from your account to help them
- You meet offender and deliver the cash.
RED FLAGS
- Financial institutions never ask for assistance with internal investigations
- Calls made early morning may catch you off guard
- Offender asks for remote access to your device
- Secrecy - you are told not to discuss with financial institution
TIPS
- Never provide personal information over the phone if you did not initiate the call
- Never give remote access to your device to callers who have called you
SPOOFING
HOW IT WORKS:
- Offender manipulates call display - tricks you into answering phone based on the number/name appearing.
- They may ‘spoof’ the number making it appear as a local call, a
specific organization or your own number.
DELAYED DISCONNECT
HOW IT WORKS:
- Offender asks you to end your current call and immediately call number on back of your card or another number they provide you.
- The original call never completely disconnects
- You end up speaking with the original caller again.
FINAL TIPS
- Hang up on unknown incoming calls or recorded messages
- Keep your personal information private
- If something seems suspicious, there is likely a good reason
- Don’t click on links in unsolicited emails, texts or on social media
REPORTING
Gather all information and report incident to:
- Your local police
- The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
- The financial institution or payment provider used to send money
- If fraud occurred online report to the website (i.e. dating website)
It is estimated fewer than 5% of fraud is reported
CANADIAN ANTI-FRAUD CENTRE
Report online through the Fraud Reporting Centre: antifraudcentre.ca
Report by phone: 1-888-495-8501
STOP, CHALLENGE, PROTECT
Stop – take a moment and think
Challenge – reject, refuse or ignore
Protect – contact authorities