The Canada Anti-Fraud Centre says that fraud can happen to anyone and it is "important to talk about."

With tax season in session, The Canada Anti-Fraud Centre says Manitobans can expect to receive more frequent fraudulent phone calls. Approximately 50,000 reports of fraud were made last year to the Canada Anti-Fraud Agency.

Jerry Thomson, a Senior RCMP Intelligence Analyst and the manager of the Canada Anti-Fraud Centre Fraud Prevention and Intake Unit, notes that people can be approached by fraudsters by a multitude of different mediums.

"No legitimate institution or government agency is going to ask you to make a payment with a gift card."

People are being approached on social media and online dating, but the telephone remains to be the most common method.

"We really want to encourage Canadians to talk about fraud and be aware of fraud," Tomson says.

The trending scam is calling with the pretense of Social Insurance Number inquiries. Callers will claim to be Service Canada, saying your S.I.N is implicated in fraud and demand immediate action.

"Extortion scams have ranked as the top reported scams for the past three years," Tomson adds.

Tomson says to "take time to react" when receiving phone calls.

"A common scam call is going to sound automated. It is going to sound very digital," he says. "The pitch is going to sound very authoritative."

Fraudsters will then ask their victims to make the payment by purchasing a gift card.

"No legitimate institution or government agency is going to ask you to make a payment with a gift card," Thomson says.

Once fraudsters are given the number on the gift card "the money is gone as fast as you've sent it."

The Canada Anti-Fraud Centre asks that if you suspect you have been a victim of fraud, to talk about it with others and report it to the agency.

Fraudulent or suspicious activity can be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, through its website at www.antifraudcentre.ca, or by telephone at 1-888-495-8501.

 

Tom