RCMP encourages Albertans to report fraud

Fraud Prevention Month (FPM) gives private and public organizations involved in the fight against fraud an opportunity to raise public awareness.  According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center, Canadians reported more than 47,000 complaints and lost more than $62 million dollars to frauds perpetrated through Identity Theft and Mass Marketing schemes in 2011.

The focus of FPM 2012 is "Recognize it, Report it". Throughout March, “K” Division RCMP’s Commercial Crime Section, in collaboration with its partners in the provincial Fraud Awareness coalition, an initiative of the Alberta Crime Prevention Community Association (http://www.accpa.org/), will be involved in a series of awareness events.  This year, the coalition will focus their public education efforts on the following: Online/Mass Marketing Fraud; Counterfeit Cards/Skimming; Investment Fraud; and Identity Theft.


Anyone who suspects they have been victimized by fraud is advised to do the following:
1.  Report fraud to your local police agency.
2.  Notify your credit card companies, banks and other financial institutions.
3.  Review financial statements.
4.  Change your PIN numbers and passwords on all bank and internet accounts.
5.  Notify Canada Post and utility service providers.
6.  Contact Federal/Provincial Identification agencies(i.e.SIN,Healthcare,Driver’s License)
7.  Report to Canadian Anti-Fraud Center. www.phonebusters.com
8.  Keep all communications and reference/file numbers.
9.  Review/notify credit bureaus. www.consumer.equifax.ca , www.transunion.ca

Many victims do not report fraud because they are ashamed or embarrassed. However, reporting fraud or suspected fraud-related activity can help police gather the intelligence and evidence required to investigate specific crimes and to protect others from being victimized.

For more information, visit: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/scams-fraudes/index-eng.htm