Media Advisory: National Fraud Prevention Month campaign launch

With fraud-related calls for service in Calgary having more than doubled since 2015, the Calgary Police Service (CPS), along with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Serving Southern Alberta and East Kootenay, the Real Estate Council of Alberta, the Alberta Securities Commission, the Calgary Public Library and the Bank of Canada are coming together for the 17^th annual national Fraud Prevention Month campaign. The campaign aims to educate citizens about how to recognize, report and stop fraud.

Throughout the month, each week will highlight a different type of fraud or scam, with the first week focusing on cryptocurrency scams.

Some of the most common types of fraudulent activity and scams reported to CPS include:

• Mass marketing scams
• Identity theft scams
• Canada Emergency Response Benefit scams
• Authority scams (CRA/Service Canada/immigration scams)
• Employment scams
• Romance scams

By the numbers:

Quotes:

Calgary Police Service

"As a Service, our priority is to ensure public safety, whether that means responding to a call for service for a crime in progress or working with our partners to help educate citizens when it comes to recognizing the red flags of scams. We strongly encourage people to come forward and report their experiences, especially if their personal information has been compromised or they’ve suffered a monetary loss," says Acting Inspector Geoff Gawlinski with the Calgary Police Service Technical Investigations Section.

Better Business Bureau

“BBB Serving Southern Alberta and East Kootenay is pleased to once again be taking part in Fraud Prevention Month throughout the month of March,” says Mary O’Sullivan-Andersen, President and CEO of BBB. “We are proud partners with organizations across the province to help stop fraud in all of our communities through education that's offered free of charge to consumers and businesses.

Fraud costs Albertans millions of dollars every year; across every demographic, regardless of gender, age, education, ethnicity, or socio-economic status. With this year’s Fraud Prevention Month theme being, ‘Friends don’t let friends get scammed,’ we urge everyone to learn more about reducing the risk of fraud as individuals, families, at the workplace, and in our communities.”

Real Estate Council of Alberta

“Fraud Prevention Month is about stepping up and raising awareness about what we’re seeing as a regulator and making sure that consumers are aware and informed in their dealings, says Charles Stevenson, Registrar with the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA). “This year we are partnering with other organizations, such as local police services and the Better Business Bureau (BBB), to connect with the Alberta public and raise awareness about fraud.”

Alberta Securities Commission

“In a recent study conducted by the Alberta Securities Commission, nearly half (48%) of Albertans believe they have been approached with a potentially fraudulent investment opportunity,” says Cynthia Campbell, Director of Enforcement at the Alberta Securities Commission. “We participate in community partnerships like the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association because it allows us to work collaboratively to reach, educate and empower Albertans to recognize, avoid and report investment scams that could have a significant impact on them or someone they know.”

Fraud Prevention Month Webinars:

Throughout the month of March, the Calgary Public Library is hosting a series of virtual webinars open to the public where various Fraud Prevention Month partners will speak about ongoing scam trends, how to spot the red flags and what recourse is available to those who may fall victim.

The full webinar schedule and registration information can be found here: https://calgarylibrary.ca/events-and-programs/programs/?query=Fraud

Fraud Prevention Month in Alberta will highlight the following weekly topics:

• Week 1 (March 1 - 6): Cryptocurrency scams 
• Week 2 (March 7 - 13): Identity theft
• Week 3 (March 14 - 20): Online scams
• Week 4 (March 21 – 27): Business fraud and scams
• Week 5 (March 28 – 31): Mass marketing and phone scams

Additional Fraud Prevention Month partners include:

• Alberta Securities Commission
• Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association
• The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
• The Alberta Justice and Solicitor General
• Alberta Seniors and Housing
• Alberta Provincial Rural Crime Watch
• Calgary Catholic Immigration Society
• Alberta Health Services
• Bank of Canada
• Better Business Bureau Canada’s Northern Capital Regions and Quebec
• Better Business Bureau Ottawa
• Canada Revenue Agency
• The Edmonton Neighbourhood Watch Program Society
• Money Mentors
• The Edmonton Police Service
• Electronic Recycling Association
• The RCMP
• Service Alberta
   

The Calgary Police Service would like to thank all participating Fraud Prevention Month partners for their continued efforts in helping to educate citizens about how to recognize, report and stop fraudulent activity. Anyone who has suffered a financial loss or has had their personal information compromised, can report it to the Calgary Police Service by contacting the non-emergency number at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers using any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org