Services commonly used by scammers to access your computer: TeamViewer, AnyDesk.
Outlined below are some tips to assist you in avoiding scams:
Below are a few examples of the most common scams today.
- Safeguard your personal information and refrain from disclosing it. This includes current and past addresses, current and past phone numbers, and current and past financial information (banks, account numbers, etc).
- Conduct research on individuals or companies you engage with online. An online search can often verify their identity (note). If you get a suspicious email from a company do NOT click on the links in the email. Open a new and separate browser window and log on directly to the company's website (note).
- Do not send money from your bank account unless you are certain of the recipient's identity.
- Exercise extreme caution if asked to refund money to someone. It is likely a scam. Never agree to deposit a check and wire transfer money to anyone or forward funds to a third party. If you are asked to mail cash to someone you do not know personally, stop contact with the individual and contact law enforcement. It is illegal to send a quantity of cash through the mail. If you want to send a gift to a loved one via mail consider sending a cheque or gift card.
- Exercise prudence when interacting with individuals whom you have only met online. If you decide to transfer funds, use secure and traceable transactions. Avoid wire transfers, prepaid debit cards, or gift cards.
- Be wary of opening attachments in any format, including via social media or text message. Doing so may unknowingly enable a virus to infect your computer or device. Unless you are expecting a text message from a specific individual or company it is likely a scam.
Below are a few examples of the most common scams today.
Romance scams are a prevalent form of fraudulent activity that often occurs through virtual platforms, including online dating sites and social media. Scammers employ various tactics, such as fabricating or stealing identities, to create the impression that they are reputable individuals like professionals, military personnel, or entrepreneurs. They may also claim to be traveling or working overseas to avoid meeting their victim in person.
The perpetrator of the scam initially seeks to establish an emotional connection with the victim by portraying themselves as a charming romantic partner. To gain the trust of the victim, they may engage in extended conversations, divulge personal information, and express their love and affection. The aim is to foster a sense of intimacy between the two parties, ultimately leading the victim to believe they are in a genuine romantic relationship.
Once the scammer has successfully cultivated trust, they may introduce a crisis or urgent situation that requires immediate financial assistance from the victim. This could manifest in various ways, such as an unexpected medical emergency or a promising business venture that requires immediate cash investment. Additionally, the scammer may request financial support to cover travel expenses to meet the victim in person.
To further deceive their victim, the scammer may send valuable items such as cash or electronics, or even ask the victim to purchase expensive goods on their behalf. These items are often requested to be forwarded to another location or account, implicating the victim in fraudulent activities like money laundering or unknowingly accepting counterfeit funds.
It is crucial for individuals to exercise caution when engaging with unknown parties online and to be aware of the warning signs of a romance scam. By remaining vigilant and aware of the tactics employed by scammers, individuals can reduce their risk of becoming a victim of this type of fraudulent activity.
Read more about a Romance scam here.
The perpetrator of the scam initially seeks to establish an emotional connection with the victim by portraying themselves as a charming romantic partner. To gain the trust of the victim, they may engage in extended conversations, divulge personal information, and express their love and affection. The aim is to foster a sense of intimacy between the two parties, ultimately leading the victim to believe they are in a genuine romantic relationship.
Once the scammer has successfully cultivated trust, they may introduce a crisis or urgent situation that requires immediate financial assistance from the victim. This could manifest in various ways, such as an unexpected medical emergency or a promising business venture that requires immediate cash investment. Additionally, the scammer may request financial support to cover travel expenses to meet the victim in person.
To further deceive their victim, the scammer may send valuable items such as cash or electronics, or even ask the victim to purchase expensive goods on their behalf. These items are often requested to be forwarded to another location or account, implicating the victim in fraudulent activities like money laundering or unknowingly accepting counterfeit funds.
It is crucial for individuals to exercise caution when engaging with unknown parties online and to be aware of the warning signs of a romance scam. By remaining vigilant and aware of the tactics employed by scammers, individuals can reduce their risk of becoming a victim of this type of fraudulent activity.
Read more about a Romance scam here.
Employment scams are prevalent and can be found on job boards, social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and even through unsolicited emails from supposed employers. The perpetrators of such scams will often masquerade as legitimate companies, recruiters, or hiring agencies, offering high-paying job opportunities with little to no effort required. These job opportunities are typically advertised as 'work from home' or 'mystery shopper' roles, and the victim will often be granted the job without submitting an application, attending an interview, or discussing the position with the supposed employer.
The scammer's objective is to extract confidential information from the victim, which can be used for identity theft, or to have them cash fraudulent checks, wire money, or transfer funds for services or supplies. Job seekers must be aware of the various tactics that employment scammers may use to siphon money from them. For instance, scammers may request that the victim:
Provide personal information, such as a social security or driver's license number, which is needed to complete their job application. Furnish their bank account details to facilitate payment processing. Disclose their credit card information to pay for job-related training or materials. Cash a check to complete the application process or as payment for the new job. The victim may then be asked to forward the money to a third-party or wire any excess funds back to the employer. The victim may find out later that they have unwittingly participated in an overpayment scam.
To avoid falling victim to employment scams, job seekers must be cautious and exercise due diligence when dealing with unknown entities. By staying informed and aware of the warning signs of fraudulent job postings, job seekers can safeguard their personal and financial information from scammers.
Read more about an employment scam here.
Overpayment scams can occur either as a standalone scheme or as part of a larger scam. One common scenario involves a victim who is selling an item online. The scammer expresses interest in purchasing the item and subsequently sends a payment that exceeds the item's actual sale price.
Subsequently, the victim is informed that the overpayment was a mistake and is requested to return the excess funds to the scammer or forward them to a third party. Another variant of this scam involves the victim being asked to procure gift cards with the surplus money and provide the scammer with the gift card details and PIN.
Regrettably, the scammer's payment is discovered to be fraudulent, and the victim has already transferred funds or gift cards to the perpetrator, which they are unable to retrieve.
Read more about overpayment scams here.
Click the button below to see images of just a few of the many possible email scams you might receive in your box.
Prize scams are a type of fraud where scammers contact individuals, often by phone or email, and falsely inform them that they have won a prize, such as a large sum of money, a luxury vacation, or a valuable item.
The scammers then ask the individuals to provide personal information, such as their name, address, and bank account details, or to pay a fee or taxes in order to claim the prize. However, there is no actual prize, and the scammers will use the personal information or payment to steal the victim's identity or money.
When you participate in legitimate Provincial lottery and gaming activities a simple rule to remember (when identifying a scammer) is that "windfalls" are not taxable in Canada. No legitimate lottery and gaming corporation will attempt to contact you through email requesting that you pay income tax on your winnings.
Read more about prize scams here.
