March is Fraud Prevention Month and the RCMP is educating the public about phishing scams.
They are ploys by fraudsters to obtain personal or financial information.
The common methods that fraudsters use to obtain this information are:
- Email or website name spoofing
- Urgency
- Offers or refunds of money
- Requests to click links, fill out forms online, or scan a QR code
If the fraudster manages to get your personal or financial information, it can be used to commit other frauds.
RCMP say there are ways you can avoid being the victim of a phishing scam:
- Don’t click on links, respond to, or download attachments in unsolicited messages by text, email, or social media.
- Look for spelling errors in the content of the message.
- Don’t trust messages just because the email address looks legitimate. Keep in mind no government or law enforcement agency will ever contact you to offer funds via email or e-transfer.
If you’re a victim, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
