Across Canada, March is Fraud Prevention Month, and here in Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh, our community is far from immune to this scourge. Cpl. Jennifer Cooper of the local RCMP detachment ran us through some scams trending in our area as well as a few prevention tips. In this case, prevention seems to be the most effective solution, as recourse can be difficult to attain, especially when so much fraudulent activity originates from a digital source where it is hard to trace.
While fraud is in the criminal code, it can be difficult to hold perpetrators to account if they don’t leave much of their own identifying information behind. Cpl. Cooper highlights a frustrating complication when investigating such crimes, often originating overseas, “by the time we track back to where that fraud originated, those people have moved.” In the time it takes to identify the source of the crime, the scammer has ample opportunity to leave and cover their tracks.
Complicating our perception of trustworthy information or communication is the use of AI in fraud attempts. The availability of our images and voices derived from online posts can be used to create digital likenesses of ourselves that people close to us can be deceived by. For example, your parent could receive a message that looks and sounds like you, pleading for money to resolve an emergency. In these situations, Cpl. Cooper suggests having a secret word that only you and your loved ones know, and request that word in such situations. Also helpful, is a familiarity with Canadian judiciary procedures. For example, Canadians are not granted a phone call when they are arrested to request bail from someone. An urgent call requesting such is an immediate red flag. Furthermore, lawyers do not accept iTunes gift cards as payment, government agencies do not accept e-transfers or crypto currencies. While familiarising yourself with our country’s proceedings may prevent you from being taken advantage of in some instances, fraudsters take advantage of uncertainty, exploit assumptions, and create urgency. While it helps to think critically, and assume nothing, when it comes to fraud prevention, anyone can succumb to a scam. The following feelings of embarrassment and shame are normal, and tend to benefit the fraudster. If a person does not report falling victim to a scam, the information they have shared may be further used to exploit the individual, and the scammer is more likely to successfully continue the same scam. It remains important to work past the shock, and report the crime.
Pushing the necessity of prevention, herself being deceived by someone impersonating her bank, Cpl. Cooper emphasizes, “It really really falls to us as individuals to prevent ourselves from becoming victims rather than hope that it’ll all turn out right on the other side.”
- Ian Gregg, CFURadio 88.7FM, Due North News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
For a full length version of our interview with Cpl. Cooper of the Prince George RCMP detachment including more examples of local fraud, prevention details, and more, visit our Podcast page here.
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