Fraud can have a serious impact on victims. The effects can go beyond the money that was lost. Victimsmay experience stress, embarrassment, anger or a loss of trust, and may be unsure about what to donext. Fraudsters use manipulation, technology and convincing stories to target people from allbackgrounds. If you encounter fraud, talking about what happened and reporting it are important nextsteps.
Open conversations about fraud can help reduce the stigma that may prevent some victims from comingforward. Talking with family, friends and others you trust can also help people recognize similar tacticsand avoid becoming victims themselves. Reporting provides information that can help law enforcementand fraud prevention partners understand how fraudsters are targeting Canadians, identify emergingtrends and connect related incidents.
Why your report matters
Every report provides information. While one incident may appear isolated, reports from across Canadacan help build a broader picture of fraud and cybercrime.
Information reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) can help identify trends, patterns andlinks between incidents across jurisdictions. This information supports intelligence, prevention andenforcement efforts and helps the CAFC and its partners warn Canadians about fraud that is occurring.
You should report attempted fraud even if you did not lose money. An unsuccessful attempt can stillprovide valuable information about the methods, messages, phone numbers, websites and other toolsbeing used by fraudsters.
Information that could help
If you encounter fraud, keep any information related to the incident. This may include:• Emails, text messages and other communications• Phone numbers and usernames• Screenshots• Website addresses• Receipts and transaction records• E-transfer, cryptocurrency or other payment information• Copies of advertisements or social media profiles• Dates and times of contact• Any other information connected to the incident
Reporting Fraud and Cybercrime Where to report
Fraud and cybercrime should be reported through https://reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca/ , thenational reporting system for fraud and cybercrime.
If you have been a victim of fraud, you should also report the incident to your local police, particularly ifyou have lost money or a criminal investigation may be required. Local police can investigate criminaloccurrences in their jurisdiction, while national reporting helps identify patterns, trends and connectionsbetween reports from across Canada.
If money or financial information is involved, contact your financial institution or payment provider assoon as possible.
Remember!
Reporting fraud isn’t only about the incident that has already happened. Reports contribute to a broaderunderstanding of the fraud landscape in Canada and can help inform prevention and enforcementefforts. Fraud can happen to anyone. Talk about it, report it and share what you have learned. Yourexperience may provide information that helps protect someone else.
This post was syndicated from https://rosslandtelegraph.com
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