Fraud Prevention Seminar

April 3, 2024

A great thank you to the two Metropolitan Toronto Police officers of the Fraud Prevention Unit, 53 Division, who provided today’s seminar at St. Peter’s about fraud prevention.  We learned a lot of interesting facts including that in Canada, as of December 31, 2023, there have been 41,111 victims of fraud, and that $554 million has been lost to fraud.  These are astonishing numbers given that only 5% of fraud gets reported!

The officers described various types of fraud including grandparent scams where a grandchild asks for money for bail; identity theft; the CRA fraud; computer virus scams; and romance and dating scams.  We were told to beware what we share on social media, for fraudsters can learn a lot about you, and to watch out for free online trials and promotions where all that is being collected is your personal information.

Based on dollar losses in 2022, the top ten types of fraud include:  investments; romance; spear phishing; service; extortion; emergency; merchandise; job; bank investigator; foreign money offer.

Thank you to Maimu Mölder of the Ehatare Foundation who organized the event.  Thank you to Aida Shelton for providing refreshments.

Photos: Maimu Mölder & Tiiu Roiser

If you’ve been a victim of fraud, do not be ashamed and silent, please report it!  Call your local police station, or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) 1-888-495-8501 or contact http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/