The final week of March and Fraud Prevention Month is upon us and this week's focus is on mass marketing and phone scam awareness. 

The Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association along with supporting agencies like the RCMP wishes to educate Albertans on how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud. 

Mass marketing and phone scams may include:

  • Fraudulent telemarketers
  • Mass mailouts and or subscriptions
  • Emergency and or grandparent scams
  • Work-at-home schemes
  • CRA scams
  • Foreign lottery or prize schemes
  • Overpayment schemes
  • Inheritance schemes
  • Credit card interest rate reduction schemes

Cpl. Sean Milne with the Alberta RCMP Provincial Economic Crime Team says, “With technology evolving at such a rapid rate, it’s no surprise that mass marketing and phone scams are adapting just as quickly. With the click of a button, scammers can make direct contact with potential victims over the phone or online.”

Officials say the best way to protect yourself is to keep your personal information to yourself and never divulge information to an unknown caller.

Do not allow a caller to pressure you into action. It is your right to say no to any questions asked by an unknown caller.

Take control of the situation by contacting a business directly and asking to speak to a representative. 

If you are unsure if you have been a victim of a scam, visit the Government of Canada's website to learn about common scams. 

But if you are certain you are a victim, call your local police detachment.

As of January 31, 2023, there have been 6,610 reports of fraud nationwide, 3,923 victims of fraud, and $43.6 million lost to fraud.