This March, the Alberta RCMP will be sharing a variety of tips and resources in support of the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association’s (ACCPA) Fraud Prevention Month campaign.

The campaign, which will include a weekly theme, seeks to educate Albertans on the many ways that fraudulent activity negatively impacts their communities.

This week, ACCPA and other supporting agencies including the RCMP, are focusing on mass marketing and phone scams. This includes, but is not limited to:

 

·       Phone scams;

·       Fraudulent telemarketers;

·       Mass mailouts and/or subscriptions;

·       Emergency and/or grandparent scams;

·       Work at home schemes;

·       CRA scams;

·       Foreign lottery or prize schemes;

·       Overpayment schemes;

·       Inheritance schemes; and,

·       Credit card interested rate reduction schemes.

To better protect yourself from mass marketing and phone scams, consider the following:

·       Do not provide any personal information to an unknown caller;

·       Do not allow yourself to be pressured by a caller with false deadlines;

·       You have the right to say no to any questions and directly contact a business to speak to a designated representative.

“With technology evolving at such a rapid rate, it’s no surprise that mass marketing and phone scams are adapting just as quickly. With the click of a button, scammers can make direct contact with potential victims over the phone or online.” Cpl. Sean Milne, Alberta RCMP Provincial Economic Crime Team