March is Fraud Prevention Month, and the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) and community partners are raising awareness to prevent Edmontonians from becoming targets of would-be fraudsters.
Over the course of the month, partners will bring attention to the most common crimes such as online scams, identity theft, business fraud, investment fraud, and phone/mass marketing scams.
In 2022, Edmontonians lost approximately $55 million to various fraud crimes. Overall, EPS saw the biggest increases in phone, phishing, and investment frauds, which resulted in over $26 million lost. Although specific frauds are seeing increases, investigators believe that these statistics are not showing the full picture as many frauds go under reported.
“Many cases of fraud occur online, so it’s important that people understand how they can safely use social media and websites and spot the potential signs of fraud,” says Det. Trevor Semotiuk with the EPS Financial Crimes Section. “It is vastly underreported for fear of being judged, but our hope is that by talking about it, people are more aware and willing to come forward.”
Fraud spans many different jurisdictions, agencies, and businesses, which underscores the importance of community partners coming together to address the issues.
Businesses can also be victims of fraud, such as Alberta Blue Cross. According to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association report, it is estimated that Canadian employers lose millions each year to workplace benefits fraud.
Brian Geislinger, Vice President of Corporate Relations with Alberta Blue Cross explains, “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.”
Real estate is another industry impacted by fraud. The higher interest rate environment has made it challenging to secure financing, which may increase the opportunity for mortgage fraud to occur.
“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.”
Each of the community partners has made a commitment to help citizens and businesses fight fraud, and EPS is proud to partner with Alberta Blue Cross, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Edmonton Neighbourhood Watch, Electronic Recycling Association, RCMP, Real Estate Council of Alberta, and Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction.
“By educating consumers and businesses on the many forms of fraud can take, we can stop it before it happens,” says Dave Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction. “Albertans can go to alberta.ca to find out more about fraud and how to avoid being victimized.”
EPS and community partners officially kick off Fraud Prevention Month at Edmonton City Hall on March 1, 2023. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi is also declaring March to be “Fraud Prevention Month” and the High Level Bridge is being lit up in the blue and white National Fraud Prevention Month colours to mark the occasion.
