Online scams and cybercrimes impact people of all ages. By staying informed and practicing safe online habits you can protect yourself, your family, and your community from harm.

Types of online scams

The most common scams experienced by Strathcona County residents are:

• Grandparent Scams: A senior gets a phone call from someone claiming to be their grandchild or calling on behalf of their grandchild. The scammer will say they need money as soon as possible to pay an urgent expense (bail, lawyers fees, hospital fees, ambulance fees, etc.).
• Investment Scams: Scammers lure people into investing into a false or deceptive opportunity, by promising higher-than-normal returns. The individual then loses most or all their money. These scams are usually unsolicited and can look or sound very convincing. This category includes cryptocurrency scams, Ponzi scams, and pyramid scams.
• Romance Scams: Fraudsters will use social media or online dating to lure victims into trusting them. As the trust develops, the scammer will begin to ask for money. It might be for travel, for a medical or family emergency, or even to invest in cryptocurrency with them.

Learn more about types of online scams from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

How to protect yourself

• Practice safe online practices. Protect your online accounts by creating strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and limiting what information you post on social media.
• If an organization requests funds from you, verify that they are legitimate. Look online for contact information and ensure that it matches what was provided to you. If there is a typo in the email address or the contact information doesn’t match, call the organization to confirm. 
• If you receive call from someone in trouble, ask other family members to confirm the situation. Never give out information on unsolicited calls.
• Don’t be afraid to say no. Scammers use high-pressure sales tactics and urgency to play on your emotions. Say no, hang up, or request they send you more information.

What to do if you experience financial fraud

If you fall victim to an online scam, stay calm and follow these steps: 

• Gather information about the scam. Collect any documents, receipts, and copies of emails or text messages related to the scam.
• Contact your financial institution that transferred the money. Report the fraud to them. Change all your passwords. If you’ve been a victim of identity fraud, contact both credit bureaus (Equifax and TransUnion).
• Contact your local police detachment to report the incident. If you are a Strathcona County resident, call the non-emergency line at 780-467-7741 to report it to the local RCMP. If your life is in danger, call 9-1-1.
• Contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to report the scam. You can call the CAFC toll free at 1-888-495-8501 or report the crime online. Reporting scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre helps raise awareness that can help others avoid similar situations.