By Andrée-Anne Guénette
The adage says typically true: when it sounds too good to be true, it is. So here are some tips to avoid falling into a trap that could cost you dearly.
Identity theft, extortion by email, telemarketing fraud by telephone, Internet, text message, door-to-door… The list reported by the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center (CAFC) is enough to send shivers down your spine. And while the CAFC is constantly working to document the frauds of which Canadians are victims, fraudsters are redoubling their ingenuity continuously to find new ways to extract money from honest people.
Fraud costs Canadians dearly: according to the CAFC, fraudsters extorted more than $405 million between 2014 and 2017. It still happens by phone and in person. Still, information technology has given it the wind in its sails: Texting, emailing, and social media are practical tools for reaching vast numbers of people, usually sniffing out bargains or believing that their privacy is compromised. Frauds are rarely reported because cheated consumers are ashamed of being cheated, but they are wrong. Fraudsters target all age groups, education levels, and social classes. And it is not a sign of lack of intelligence to fall into the trap. Regardless of the amount, fraud should always be reported to help the authorities target the criminals and prevent them from making other victims.
