The Alberta RCMP is reminding Albertans to remain vigilant to COVID-19 related fraud attempts.
From March 2020 to February 2021, there were over 10,700 reports of fraud in Alberta RCMP jurisdictions, with impersonation and identity-related incidents accounting for 19.4 per cent of all reported frauds.
Common fraud in Alberta RCMP jurisdictions includes money, property, security fraud less than or equal to $5000, identity fraud, money, property, security fraud greater than $5000, identity theft, theft, forgery, misuse of a credit card, use, traffic, possess a forged document, illegal possession or trafficking in government documents, obtaining food and lodging by fraud, obtaining transportation, and unauthorized use of a computer.
The Alberta RCMP encouraging Albertans to protect themselves by learning how to recognize and prevent fraud, by ignoring communication from unknown contacts, not leaving personal identification cards in a vehicle, purchasing items from reputable organizations, researching organizations through the Better Business Bureau, regularly monitoring credit card statements for unknown or suspicious charges, not spending money on dating sites, and asking if a transaction makes sense, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Victims of fraud should report it to local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online at, www.antifraudcenter.ca or 1-888-495-8501.
Victims of fraud should also contact their bank and credit card company if they believe their personal or financial information has been compromised.
