The steps to action:
1. RECOGNIZE,
2. REJECT,
3. REPORT
The crooks, hackers, fraudsters never let up. So be wary, be cautious.
1. RECOGNIZE
Any incoming message, be it phone, text, email, or computer, if you do not RECOGNIZE the sender, don’t RECOGNIZE [ RECALL/REMEMBER ] the message, take the next step…
2. REJECT
If the message fails to pass the RECOGNIZE test, REJECT it. Delete it. Do not open it. Trash it and move to the next step…
3. REPORT
REPORT the incident/message to the police or to the govt anti fraud centre. Connections to both are displayed at the bottom of this post. By reporting you will be helping other people with information.
SPOOFING
Legitimate institutions, government agencies, businesses do not conduct business by asking for personal financial or credit card information. If you receive an email that looks authentic but is asking for your financial information, it is FRAUD known as SPOOFING. We call it impersonation or faking. Delete the email. Do not open it. Opening it may launch a computer virus which will damage your computer data.
SAMPLING OF FRAUD SOURCES
If you receive emails from places like Canada Revenue Service, John Hopkins University Medical, or such and you did not initiate the contact, then it’s fake. Delete the email.
PHONE CALLS
Phone calls threatening you with imprisonment or fines are fake. Do not engage these people in conversation. They are practiced, polished professionals who will rob you. Do not even phone them back. However, if you feel you must follow up the call, find the real phone number and phone the company, institution to verify the authenticity of the first call.
DOOR TO DOOR CALLS
Anyone selling at your door is likely a fraudster, particularly if they ask for cash with the promise of delivery of product/service to follow.
AVOID
- SOCIAL MEDIA….Instagram, Facebook
- Exaggerated claims, easy solutions
- Romance scams
- SMALL ASKS, small amounts will become whoppers.
SCAM AVOIDANCE
- If you didn’t initiate; avoid it
- Do your research with Google, your family, your friends
- If they won’t let you go, RUN
- Use the phone more than your computer
- Keep a record of your legit contacts, companies, accounts
- Get help from legitimate sources
Be wary
Be skeptical
Be informed
Be educated
Below some legitimate links for help with fraud. If you think you have been scammed, REPORT IT. Others will benefit from the reporting and you may be able to get help.
Canadian Anti Fraud Centre
Ph 1-888-495-8501
Durham Police Fraud Dept.
