Avoid getting scammed with these tips from Canadian anti-fraud agencies

[guest]

Few stories rile up our readers as much as people getting hit by fraudsters.

One of our most-read stories of 2016 was about a car wrap scam where emails or texts would offer a “salary” of up to $300 a week to those who would allow their personal car to be “wrapped” in advertising. (Spoiler: You will never get paid, and soon find yourself out thousands of dollars).

So we wanted to pass on these tips posted today by the government agencies at the forefront of cracking down on fraud: the Canada Revenue Agency, the Competition Bureau, the RCMP, and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Related

• OPP warns of car wrap scam with new twist
• Toronto woman loses $450,000 from life savings, sale of condo to online dating scam: police
• Ottawa businesses targeted by Direct Pages 411 mail scam

They hosted a “fraud chat” on Twitter, and it came with tons of useful advice for making sure you don’t fall victim.

Today we’ll give you tips on how you can recognize, avoid and report #scams. #fraudchat #FPM2017

— CanadaRevenueAgency (@CanRevAgency) March 29, 2017
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Tip: The CRA will never send you an email with a link that asks for personal information. #fraudchat

— CanadaRevenueAgency (@CanRevAgency) March 29, 2017
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Tip: Scammers can fake caller ID! If claiming you owe money, you can check My Account or call us. #fraudchat

— CanadaRevenueAgency (@CanRevAgency) March 29, 2017
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Tip: Don’t get scammed! The CRA will never send or ask for payment using e-transfer. #fraudchat pic.twitter.com/sDeZxoapXL

— CanadaRevenueAgency (@CanRevAgency) March 29, 2017
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Look out for this latest twist on the CRA Phishing scam, made to appear as an e-transfer for a refund #fraudchat #FPM2017 pic.twitter.com/AQ9oDGOQqq

— Canadian Anti-Fraud (@canantifraud) March 29, 2017
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Tip: Did a call claiming to be from the CRA sound aggressive and threatening? It’s a scam! #fraudchat pic.twitter.com/nG0J4CCCAW

— CanadaRevenueAgency (@CanRevAgency) March 29, 2017
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Tip: Watch out for scams! The CRA will never ask for payment in prepaid cards of any kind. #fraudchat pic.twitter.com/J6bQnLiMv6

— CanadaRevenueAgency (@CanRevAgency) March 29, 2017
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Tip: Sign up for Account Alerts. You’ll get an email when there’s a change made to your address or your direct deposit info #fraudchat

— CanadaRevenueAgency (@CanRevAgency) March 29, 2017
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There were also a series of questions and answers.

Lets get started with our first question: Q1: What are some tell-tale signs of a scam? #FraudChat #FPM2017

— CanadaRevenueAgency (@CanRevAgency) March 29, 2017
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A1: Threatening language, asking for payment by gift card or e-transfer, a link asking for your personal information. #FraudChat

— RCMP (@rcmpgrcpolice) March 29, 2017
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Q2: Where can Canadians report scams? #FraudChat

— CanadaRevenueAgency (@CanRevAgency) March 29, 2017
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A2: Your first thought when reporting a scam should be @canantifraud & @compbureau, and then your local police #FPM2017 #fraudchat

— Competition Bureau (@CompBureau) March 29, 2017
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Q3: What should Canadians who have fallen victim to scams do? #FraudChat

— CanadaRevenueAgency (@CanRevAgency) March 29, 2017
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A3: Document your dealings with the company & report fraud! If you are a victim, let your local police force know #FPM2017 #fraudchat

— Competition Bureau (@CompBureau) March 29, 2017
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Q4: If someone is scammed out of their social insurance number (SIN), what should they do? #FraudChat

— CanadaRevenueAgency (@CanRevAgency) March 29, 2017
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A4: If your social insurance number (SIN) has been stolen, you should contact a Service Canada office: https://t.co/KkWem11UVJ #FraudChat

— RCMP (@rcmpgrcpolice) March 29, 2017
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Q5: Where can Canadians get more information on scams? #FraudChat

— CanadaRevenueAgency (@CanRevAgency) March 29, 2017
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A5: For more information on how you can protect yourself against scams, visit https://t.co/3179xBBwj0 #FraudChat

— RCMP (@rcmpgrcpolice) March 29, 2017
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Q6: Who’s targeted by scammers? #fraudchat

— CanadaRevenueAgency (@CanRevAgency) March 29, 2017
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A6: Anyone can become a victim of fraud, no matter their age or education. Report fraud; it’s confidential and easy! #FPM2017 #fraudchat

— Competition Bureau (@CompBureau) March 29, 2017
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Q7: What is a charity scam? #fraudchat

— CanadaRevenueAgency (@CanRevAgency) March 29, 2017
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A7: Charity scams take advantage of people's kindness by asking for donations in the name of a fake charity #FPM2017 #fraudchat

— Competition Bureau (@CompBureau) March 29, 2017
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A7: Scammers can impersonate a real charity with emails, collection boxes and logos that look genuine #fraudchat #FPM2017

— Competition Bureau (@CompBureau) March 29, 2017
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Q9: How can Canadians make sure the charity they are donating to is legitimate? #fraudchat

— CanadaRevenueAgency (@CanRevAgency) March 29, 2017
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A9: All registered charities are overseen by @CanRevAgency. https://t.co/R1xzTY67fc #BookOfScams #FPM2017 #fraudchat

— Competition Bureau (@CompBureau) March 29, 2017
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Q10: Why is it important to report fraud? #FraudChat

— CanadaRevenueAgency (@CanRevAgency) March 29, 2017
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A10: Reporting scams provides law enforcement information needed to stop fraudsters and prevent others from being scammed! #FraudChat

— RCMP (@rcmpgrcpolice) March 29, 2017
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