The OPP & Partners Launch the 20th Edition of Fraud Prevention Month

ORILLIA – This year’s Fraud Prevention Month (FPM) campaign will focus on “20 years of fighting fraud – where are we now?”. The 2024 campaign will showcase the way fraud has evolved over the past 20 years. The goal of the campaign is to empower Canadians with information, tools, and strategies to recognize, reject and report fraud.

Being able to recognize techniques used by cybercriminals will go a long way in helping Canadians combat cyber-enabled fraud. In the past 20 years, technology has transformed the fraud landscape, which is more widespread and sophisticated than ever before. Information, tips, and strategies help Ontarians fight back against cyber-enabled fraud.

In 2023, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) received fraud reports totalling a staggering $554 million in victim losses, surpassing the 2022 historic loss amount of $530 million. With the evolution of fraud, 75 percent of overall losses reported to the CAFC are from cyber-enabled fraud, and this is expected to increase year over year. It is estimated that only five to 10 percent of victims report scams and frauds to the CAFC or law enforcement.

According to the CAFC, in 2023, the top five frauds affecting Canadians daily were:

• Investment frauds represented $309 million in reported losses in 2023. Ontario victims reported losing more than $111.2 million.
• Spear phishing frauds (Business Email Compromise) represented $58.2 million in reported losses in 2023. Ontario victims reported losing more than $21.3 million.
• Romance frauds represented $50.3 million in reported losses in 2023. Ontario victims reported losing more than $21.3 million.
• Job scams represented $27.7 million in reported losses in 2023. Ontario victims reported losing more than $9.4 million.
• Service frauds represented $22.2 million in reported losses in 2023. Ontario victims reported losing more than $8.3 million.

How Modern Fraudsters Use Technology

Fraudsters will create spoofed websites, use spoofed telephone numbers using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to mimic legitimate numbers, have victims download remote-entry software providing access to devices and computers or send out phishing texts with hyperlinks imitating legitimate businesses or governments offering refunds, rebates or requiring payments.

Take Action

• Join the OPP in raising awareness in the month of March 2024. Our law enforcement partners will be posting social media tips, bulletins, and various other resources.
• On March 21, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. EST the OPP, CAFC, Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, Canada Post, and the Canadian Money Services Business Association, will be hosting a live chat to discuss tools fraudsters use to victimize Ontario residents. You can view this live chat on the OPP’s X and Facebook.

“Fraud losses within Ontario and throughout Canada continue to rise to unprecedented levels, which devastates the lives of our friends, colleagues, family members and businesses. One of the strongest and most effective methods we have to combat fraud is through enhanced public knowledge and cyber awareness. Throughout this year’s 20th edition of Fraud Prevention Month, the OPP, CAFC and our partners will provide fraud prevention information that will allow you to gain the knowledge you require to understand the tools and methods fraudsters use in attempts to try to take away your hard-earned money.” said Mike Bickerton, Detective Superintendent, Director of Financial Crime Services, Anti-Rackets Branch & Serious Fraud Office, Ontario Provincial Police

“The incidents of fraud in Ontario are among the highest in the country. Throughout the month of March, the OPP along with the CAFC hope to raise awareness of the growing need for deterrence and reporting of fraud against the people of Ontario and in particular those in our vulnerable populations. Please take the time to spread the word on fraud awareness, and educate your loved ones and those around you on how to identify indicators of fraud. Together, we can help reduce the harm fraud can cause.” said Stephen Buchanan, Acting Detective Inspector, Anti-Rackets Branch, Financial Crime Services, Ontario Provincial Police

Remember, if you become a victim of fraud or know someone who has, contact your local police service to report the crime and report it to the CAFC at 1-888-495-8501 or online on the Fraud Reporting System (FRS), even if a financial loss did not occur.

Follow our social media, using hashtags #FPM2024, #kNOwfraud and @canantifraud, as we will be posting on social media each week during March.

·      CAFC X and Facebook

·      OPP X, Facebook, and Instagram