Fraud Prevention Month
Last updated on February 24, 2026
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March is Fraud Prevention Month
Every year, we take the month of March to focus on fraud prevention, and with good reason. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, fraudsters continue to find more sophisticated and detailed means of tricking Canadians out of their money. While none of the most “lucrative” types of fraud are particularly new concepts, changes to the way Canadians spend their time and new methods of delivery have made us more susceptible to certain types of fraud.
Fraud issues have doubled over the last decade. As of the latest report from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, more than $544 million has been lost to fraud in 2025, with investment scams dominating the majority of the loss. Completed reports of 2024 statistics found that investment scams made up 49% of losses from that year ($310 million out of $643 million).
The most effective way to combat fraud is through prevention, which starts with awareness and education. Understanding fraud and the common tactics threat actors use can better prepare yourself for when you might encounter it. Explore the sources below to learn about today’s most common fraud tactics and how to protect yourself from them.
Types of Fraud:
Investment Scams
Investment scams affect all ages, but are particularly more dangerous for seniors, who are statistically more susceptible. Read up about how to spot investment scams and share these resources with your close ones who may be more at risk of falling for a scam.
Phishing
Are you experiencing frequent phishing attempts? Do you feel prepared to identify and defend against this type of threat? Phishing emails are one of the most common and destructive online threats. Because they are so common, it’s important to know how to spot one.
CCCS - Recognize and avoid phishing attacks
CAFR - Phishing
Phishing Video
Identity Fraud
Identity fraud is one of the fastest‑growing forms of crime. The more you understand how your information can be targeted, the easier it becomes to spot suspicious requests, protect your accounts, and avoid sharing details that put you at risk.
CAFR - Identity theft and fraud
Ontario.ca - How to recognize and protect yourself from identity theft
Service Scams
Service scams consist of a broad range of scams. In these types of scams, someone pretends to offer a legitimate service, such as tech support, home repairs, financial help, or government assistance, but their real goal is to steal your money or personal information. Knowing how they work helps you recognize the warning signs before you’re caught off guard.
CAFR - Service
Competition Bureau - Service-related scams
Get Cyber Safe - Service Scams
Extortion
Extortion is the practice of forcing or threatening a potential victim into giving them money, information, services, or access by using force or making threats. Because these tactics are designed to create panic and push you into acting quickly, understanding extortion helps you stay calm, recognize the tactic, and avoid falling for false threats.
Employment Scams
Employment scams consist of someone pretending to offer a potential victim a job with the objective to steal their money or personal information. It is very common online, and it usually offers incentives and pay that is too good to be true. Learning how these scams work helps you spot the warning signs early and protect yourself from giving away anything valuable.
Merchandise Scams
Merchandise scams happen when someone offers to either buy something from you with false payment methods, or sell you something that either doesn’t exist, isn’t what they promised, or never gets delivered after you pay. Knowing how these scams work helps you spot suspicious listings, avoid unsafe payment methods, and protect your money when shopping online.
CAFR - Merchandise
Competition Bureau - Purchase of merchandise scams
Competition Bureau - Sale of merchandise scams
Dropshipping handout
Report Cybercrime or Fraud:
Whether you are a victim or a witness, you can report a fraud or cybercrime online at reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca. You have the option to report anonymously if you wish. Fraud and cybercrimes can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time.
It is also recommended that you report the instance of a fraud or cybercrime, whether you are a victim or not, to the CAFC.
Remember: It's the role of your local police to investigate. The CAFC assists law enforcement through maintaining a central repository of information to assist with investigations. Learn more about the CAFC.
Additional Resources:
Cyber Resources
Complete our Fraud Month Quiz to see how cyber savvy and fraud aware you are. After testing yourself on our quiz, refresh your best practices by reviewing the following resources:
- 5 Cyber Security Tips for Online Shopping Video
- Learn about cyber-propaganda and how to protect yourself from it:
Cyber Propaganda Video - Information Security for Mobile Workers:
Mobile Worker Video
Secure Passwords
Learn more about creating, using and protecting your data with strong passwords – plus get up to speed with some fascinating facts:
External Resources
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to report fraud
Equifax Canada Identity Theft Education
Get Cyber Safe is a national public awareness campaign created to inform Canadians about cyber security and the simple steps they can take to protect themselves online.
Competition Bureau – Preventing Fraud
Consumer Protection BC – Scams and Fraud
SonicWALL Phishing IQ Test – Test your knowledge of Phishing and Scams