March is Fraud Prevention Month:

Recognize it, Report it, Stop it!

OTTAWA – February 26, 2010 –Every year, frauds cost Canadians millions of dollars and countless hours of frustration. While fraud losses are serious, most can be prevented by identifying the warning signs and tricks used by fraudsters.

Fraud Prevention Month gives private and public organizations involved in the fight against fraud an opportunity to raise public awareness. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, in 2009, Canadians reported losing almost $14.5 million dollars to frauds perpetrated through e-mails, text messages and the Internet. Reported losses are just the tip of the iceberg – actual losses are much higher. Since Internet-related crime is an area of developing concern, the theme of this year’s Fraud Prevention Month will be on-line fraud.

“With the Internet fast becoming a way of life for most of us, it’s not surprising that we’re seeing such growth in on-line scams and frauds. Criminals go where the money is. They’re making the most of the opportunities the Internet provides, so Canadians have to be particularly vigilant about protecting their personal information when they’re on-line,” said RCMP Superintendent Steve Foster, Director of the Commercial Crime Branch.

Over the next four weeks, the RCMP, in conjunction with the Competition Bureau of Canada, will be participating in a series of local and national fraud-awareness initiatives. To reduce your chances of being victimized by Internet fraud, check the RCMP’s website daily during the month of March for tips aimed at keeping you safe from scammers. Topics covered will include phishing, on-line shopping, social networking, and credit and debit cared fraud.

For more information on scheduled activities, please visit the websites of other organizations taking part in Fraud Prevention Month:

RCMP

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

Competition Bureau of Canada

-30-

Contact:
RCMP Media Relations
613-993-2999