As the holiday season approaches, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) is warning of common scams that could dampen both people’s spirits and their wallets.
According to the agency, nearly $421 million has been lost to fraud this year, already surpassing last year’s total of $383.6 million.
Last year also saw a steep increase in the amount of money lost to fraud. The agency reported an increase of 130 per cent in the amount lost to fraud compared to 2020, a jump so high the RCMP called it “historic.”
Here are the scams the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says you should be on the lookout for:
Counterfeit merchandise
The agency is warning of online advertisements that appear to include “huge and flashy” discounts that lead to sites posing as legitimate businesses that are selling counterfeit products. They are also cautioning consumers of the potential health risks counterfeit merchandise may have.
Selling goods and services online
Sellers are being warned by the agency to always accept payment first before giving products away and to be wary of people who offer to pay more than the initial price.
Fake charities
Those who donate to charities during the holidays are being warned of fraudsters who use the names of real charities to scam people. The agency is asking people to first check that the charity they plan on donating to is registered with the Canada Revenue Agency before handing over money or personal information.
Crypto investment scams
The CAFC is warning of crypto…
