How are Canadians being duped?
The most popular types of fraud.
Fraudulent calls and texts have become a common problem, and a recent survey shows that about 43% of Canadians have experienced these situations in their lifetime. In 2022, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center counted 92,078 cases of fraud. With the increase in online interactions and the development of artificial intelligence, it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish real messages from fake ones.
So, what are the most popular types of scams in Canada?
The "emergency" scam
This type of fraud often targets the elderly. The attacker pretends to be a family member who is in trouble and needs money to be released from custody. ID manipulation is especially dangerous when the fraudster's number masquerades as a real, "official" number. Experts advise returning calls to numbers you know to verify the caller's authenticity.
Technical support
This type of scam involves demanding money to fix fictitious computer problems. Do not give anyone access to your PC. Contact only trusted professionals.
Air duct cleaning scam
Offering services at a suspiciously low price may conceal an attempt to steal credit card data. Poorly done work and fictitious guarantees are another risk. Checking online for the company offered can help you avoid being scammed.
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