BBB releases report highlighting top 10 scams

Scammers are all around us and the Better Business Bureau has released a report to help protect Canadians. The Scam Tracker Canadian Risk Report highlights the top 10 scams you can watch out for. Staff say cryptocurrency is currently the riskiest scam in our country. March is also Fraud Prevention Month and the BBB is continuing to encourage you to stay updated on current scams. Wes Lafortune, the Media and Communications Specialist for the Better Business Bureau Serving southern Alberta and East Kootenay, says they recently received a report from a victim who says they are at risk of losing more than $800,000 from a romance scam.

“Anytime you’re online- especially dating sites, be very careful and as soon as someone asks you for money, bank information, or credit card information, end the contact. Do not have anymore contact with that person. That’s a scammer- that’s organized crime. The criminals are very good at engaging people emotionally. These are people that are looking for companionship- looking for love online. They get drawn into theses scenarios and all of a sudden they’re giving this person lots of money that often they can’t afford.”

Below is the list of the top 10 scams:

1. Cryptocurrency.
2. Advance fee loans.
3. Online purchase scams.
4. Home improvement.
5. Phishing.
6. Counterfeit products.
7. Employment.
8. Fake invoices and supplier bills.
9. Credit cards.
10. Sweepstakes and lotteries.

Here are some good ways to avoid these top 10 scams:

1. Never send money to anyone you haven’t met face-to-face.

2. Don’t click on links or attachments in unsolicited emails or texts.

3. Don’t believe everything you see or read. Scammers are great at mimicking official seals, fonts, and other details. Just because a website or email looks official does not mean it is. Even Caller ID can be faked.

4. Take precautions when making online purchases. Don’t shop on price alone. Scammers offer hard-to-find products at great prices. Don’t buy online unless the transaction is secure. Make sure the website has “https” in the URL (the extra s is for “secure”) and a small lock icon on headdress bar. Even then, the site could be shady. Research the company first at BBB.org. Avoid making quick purchases while browsing social media. Scammers advertise websites that offer great deals, but either don’t deliver the product at all or deliver counterfeit products. Do more research on those products you found via online search.

5. Be extremely cautious when dealing with anyone you’ve met online.

6. Never share personally identifiable information with someone who has contacted you unsolicited.

7. Don’t be pressured to act immediately.

8. Use secure, traceable transactions when making payments for goods, services, taxes, and debts.

9. Whenever possible, work with businesses that have proper identification, licensing, and insurance.

10. Be cautious about what you share on social media.

Lafortune says to reach out to the non-emergency police line if you have fallen prey to one of these fraudsters.

You can also visit the BBB Scam tracker if you have become a victim of a scam https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker

If you are thinking about investing into cryptocurrency or crypto-assets, you can visit the Alberta Security Commission website https://checkfirst.ca/