March is Fraud Prevention month in Alberta, and we are pleased to be partnering with organizations across Calgary to help raise awareness and educate Calgarians about how to recognize, report and stop fraud.
The most common types of fraudulent activity and scams reported to CPS include:
- Mass-marketing scams
- Identity theft scams
- Authority scams (CRA/Service Canada/immigration)
- Cryptocurrency investment scams
- Employment scams
- Romance scams
- Gift card scams
Calgarians have also been increasingly victimized in the last year of what is known as the ‘grandparent scam’, where a scammer calls a senior and claims to be a family member in need of immediate money for bail or hospital expenses. Since the beginning of 2022, we estimate more than $1.6 million has been stolen from seniors in Calgary as part of this scam.
“Responding to calls for service is only part of the work we do to help ensure public safety,” says Sgt. Nick Wilsher with the Calgary Police Service Crime Prevention Team. “We are also focused on educating the public about common scenarios, including scams, where they might become a victim of a crime, and giving them information and tips to help protect themselves. We want to give the public the tools they need to feel safe, especially when it comes to spending or giving away money.”
In 2022, we received 8,604 fraud-related calls for service. Of these, there were 5,876 incidents where fraud was the most serious crime that occurred. We know these statistics under-estimate the extent of fraud in Calgary as fraud is frequently associated with other crimes, such as threats, harassment, property damage and theft.
Throughout March, we are partnering with organizations across the province, to share important information about how to identify, prevent and report fraud.
Fraud Prevention Month in Alberta will highlight the following weekly topics:
- Week 1 (March 1-4): Online scams and fraud
- Week 2 (March 5-11): Identity theft
- Week 3 (March 12-18): Business fraud and scams
- Week 4 (March 19-25): Investment scams
- Week 5 (March 26-31): Mass-marketing and phone scams
Quotes:
Alberta Blue Cross
“As Alberta’s largest benefits provider, Alberta Blue Cross processes more than 70 million claims annually with a value of more than $3.3 billion. We have a zero-tolerance policy toward fraud and plan abuse in the interest of protecting the viability of the plans we provide to our valued customers,” says Brian Geislinger, vice-president of corporate relations for Alberta Blue Cross. “Fraud is not a victimless crime, and it’s important for us to remember that when fraud occurs, we all ultimately pay the price. We applaud the efforts of our partners in fraud prevention, and we are committed to doing our part to educate all Albertans to be vigilant against fraud in all its forms.”
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
“Today marks the kickoff of Fraud Prevention Month, an important annual campaign that shines a spotlight on the importance of taking proactive measures to prevent financial scams,” says Vivianna Botticelli, chapter president for the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. “I encourage all organizations to use their platforms to share knowledge about fraud prevention and take proactive steps to protect themselves and their communities. By raising awareness and sharing knowledge, we can empower individuals and organizations to protect themselves from financial scams.”
Better Business Bureau Serving Southern Alberta and East Kootenay
“The Better Business Bureau Serving Southern Alberta and East Kootenay is pleased to take part in Fraud Prevention Month, working alongside our partners to help consumers and businesses prevent fraud in our community,” said President and CEO Mary O’Sullivan-Andersen. “This important month amplifies efforts that we take every day to spot and help stop scams.”
Electronic Recycling Association
“Fraud prevention month is intended to facilitate conversations around new scams and how individuals can reduce their risk of falling victim to them,” says Bojan Paduh, president and founder of Electronic Recycling Association. “Our goal is to help our community partners ensure the public has access to tools and information to protect themselves, and by offering free and secure hard drive shredding we’re happy to make a tangible contribution.”
Real Estate Council of Alberta
“As the provincial regulator for several key real estate industries, it is our job to protect consumers in their real estate dealings,” says Russ Morrow, Chief Executive Officer for the Real Estate Council of Alberta. An informed and alert consumer base drastically reduces the chance of mortgage fraud, and many consumers don’t know they can reach out to us for help, that’s what we’re here for.”
Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction
“Fraud takes on many forms, and can be devastating to consumers and businesses,” says Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction. “By working together, reporting fraud and educating consumers, we can stop fraud before it happens. During Fraud Prevention Month, I encourage Albertans to explore our tips and advice on alberta.ca to help prevent fraud in Alberta.”
Additional Fraud Prevention Month partners include:
- Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association
- Alberta Provincial Rural Crime Watch
- Alberta Securities Commission
- Bank of Canada
- Calgary Catholic Immigration Society
- Central Alberta FASD Network
- Edmonton Neighbourhood Watch
- Edmonton Police Service
- RCMP
- Reach Edmonton
- Servus Credit Union
Anyone who has suffered a financial loss or has had their personal information compromised can report it to the Calgary Police Service by contacting the non-emergency line at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers using any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: P3 Tips
Fraud Prevention Month launch event
We will join our Fraud Prevention Month partners to officially launch Fraud Prevention Month across Calgary. Calgarians are encouraged to attend and learn about how to identify, prevent and report fraud. Tickets are free and are available at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/fraud-prevention-month-calgary-launch-event-tickets-563617714757. As limited tickets are available, registration for the event is required.
When: Monday, March 6, 2023, at 9:30 a.m.
Location: Observation deck, Calgary Tower – 101 Ninth Ave. S.W.
Who: The following Fraud Prevention Month partners will be in attendance:
- Calgary Police Service
- Alberta Blue Cross
- Alberta Securities Commission
- Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
- Better Business Bureau
- Canadian Health and Life Insurance Association
- Electronic Recycling Association
- RCMP
- Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction
Media Advisory: Calgary Fraud Prevention Month launch event
Calgary Police Service Chief Constable Mark Neufeld and Mary O’Sullivan-Andersen, President and CEO of Better Business Bureau Serving Southern Alberta and East Kootenay will provide opening remarks and answer questions from the media ahead of the Fraud Prevention Month launch.
When: Monday, March 6, 2023, at 9 a.m.
Location: Observation deck, Calgary Tower – 101 Ninth Ave. S.W.
Media who would like to attend are asked to contact the CPS media line to register their attendance.