life skills
Data from Vancouver Police Department Website
Fraud Types and Prevention Tips Advanced Payment Lottery Scams Fraudsters claim you've won a lottery you never entered and request fees for "processing" winnings. They may repeatedly demand more money under false pretenses. Prevention: Never send money to claim a prize or lottery winnings. AI Voice and Video Cloning Scams (Deepfake) Scammers use AI technology to mimic loved ones, claiming they need urgent financial help. Prevention: Use a family code word, ask verification questions, and contact the person directly to confirm their safety. Bail Money (Grandparent) Scams Callers impersonate officials or relatives, claiming a family member is in trouble and needs urgent money for bail. Prevention: Hang up, verify the situation with other family members, and report the call to authorities. Bank Examiner or Investigator Scams Fraudsters pose as bank officials investigating fraud, asking for sensitive information or money transfers. Prevention: Contact your bank directly using their official phone number and ensure a dial tone before calling. Blessing Fraud Victims, often elderly, are tricked into "blessing" money or jewelry, which is then swapped for worthless items. Prevention: Be cautious of unsolicited offers for blessings or rituals involving valuables. Business Email Compromise Hackers impersonate suppliers or executives to redirect company payments into fraudulent accounts. Prevention: Verify banking details directly with the supplier using trusted contact methods, and implement email authentication tools. Canada Revenue Scam Fraudsters pose as CRA officials, threatening arrest or deportation unless immediate payment is made via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Prevention: Remember that the CRA does not make such demands. Report suspicious calls to the CRA or local authorities. Event Ticket Sales Scam Fake tickets are sold online, leaving buyers unable to attend events. Prevention: Purchase tickets only from reputable sellers or official platforms. E-Transfer Intercept Scams Hackers intercept e-transfers by guessing passwords or accessing shared email accounts. Prevention: Use strong, unique passwords, communicate transfer details securely, and avoid simple password hints. Home Repairs and Renovations Scam Scammers offer repair or renovation services, demand upfront payment, and deliver poor or incomplete work. Prevention: Get multiple quotes, check company references, and pay only upon satisfactory completion of the job. Interac E-Transfer Fraud Fraudsters spoof bank phone numbers, asking victims to send e-transfers to "protect" their accounts. Prevention: Verify the legitimacy of calls directly with your bank and never share e-transfer codes or passwords. Job Opportunity Fraud Fake job offers require upfront fees or ask victims to install software, often leading to theft or scams. Prevention: Research companies, avoid pyramid schemes, and report suspicious activities to job boards or authorities. Money Mules Scammers recruit individuals to launder stolen money by transferring it through their accounts. Prevention: Avoid job offers involving money transfers and report suspicious requests to banks or law enforcement. Phishing Emails and Texts Emails or texts trick victims into revealing sensitive information or money through impersonation or threats. Prevention: Confirm sender identity, avoid clicking on unknown links, and report suspicious messages to your service provider. QR Code Scams Fraudulent QR codes direct victims to malicious websites or steal financial information. Prevention: Verify QR codes' authenticity and avoid unsolicited messages containing them. Residential Rental Scams Fraudsters pose as landlords or property owners, collecting deposits for nonexistent rentals. Prevention: View properties in person, verify ownership, and avoid cash-only transactions. Romance Scams Online fraudsters develop emotional relationships and request money for fabricated emergencies. Prevention: Avoid sending money to online-only acquaintances, verify their claims, and protect private images. Secret Shopper and Cheque Refund Fraud Victims are sent fake overpayment cheques and asked to return the excess, only to find the cheque bounces. Prevention: Avoid unsolicited job offers and verify employers through reputable sources like the Better Business Bureau. Service Provider Fraud Businesses receive fake urgent payment demands for services like utilities, often involving cryptocurrency. Prevention: Contact service providers directly using official contact details to confirm any payment requests. SIM Card Swap Scammers gain control of your phone number by fraudulently swapping your SIM card. Prevention: Use PINs for your SIM, enable two-factor authentication, and avoid sharing sensitive data online.
Designed by Siavash
Common Types of Fraud
& How to Prevent them
Protect yourself from fraud
Yazdan Jahan, UCW MBA graduate and Financial Specialist
Protect Yourself from Fraud: Insights from My Experience Working at the Bank During my time working at the bank, I encountered numerous cases of fraud that targeted international students, often taking advantage of their unfamiliarity with the financial systems in Canada. I want to share some of these cases with you, so you can stay vigilant and protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud while living in Vancouver. One common scam involves fraudulent job offers. Many students, eager to find employment, receive emails claiming they’ve been hired for a position. The fraudsters often send a fake paycheck—usually a large sum—and instruct the student to deposit it into their account and return a portion of it as a “processing fee” or “advance payment.” For example, they may send a $1,000 check and ask for $500 to be returned. By the time the student realizes the check is fake, they’ve already lost their money. Another frequent scam targets students selling items online, such as artwork or crafts, often on platforms like Facebook Marketplace. Fraudsters pretend to be interested buyers and send a fake check, usually for more than the item’s price. They ask the seller to deposit the check and send back the excess amount, claiming it as a mistake. Similarly, these checks are fake, leaving the seller at a loss. Always be cautious with checks sent via email, as these are almost always fraudulent. Fraudsters also exploit students searching for affordable housing. They post fake listings with attractive prices and claim they’re in a rush to rent the property. They’ll ask for a security deposit or advance rent to secure the place, often requesting the payment through wire transfer or e-transfer. In most cases, the property either doesn’t exist or isn’t available for rent, leaving the student without their money. Other scams include phishing emails or texts claiming to be from Amazon or courier services. These messages usually state that you have a package on the way and ask you to click a link to track it. The link redirects to a fake banking website where your credentials are stolen, compromising your account. Additionally, fraudsters impersonate government officials, claiming there’s an issue with your Social Insurance Number (SIN) or other personal information. They pressure you into sharing sensitive details, which can lead to identity theft. Lastly, students are often targeted with offers of discounted phones, plans, or other deals that require them to share credit card or personal information. These offers are often too good to be true and turn out to be scams. Remember, legitimate businesses won’t pressure you to share sensitive information or make payments upfront without proper documentation. By staying informed and cautious, you can avoid falling victim to these fraudulent schemes. Always verify the legitimacy of job offers, housing listings, and other deals. If something seems too good to be true, it likely is. Protect your information, and don’t hesitate to reach out for advice if you suspect fraud.
Interviewer: Siavash Rokhsari
Students' Stories
Suspicious Transactions on Mobile Banking
One day, I opened my banking app and felt my heart drop. There were several transactions that I didn’t recognize—items I never bought! I panicked because I am always careful with my spending. It took me a long time to call the bank, and I was so nervous explaining everything to them. They helped me dispute the charges and told me the transactions might have happened because of an untrustworthy website. At first, I couldn’t understand how it happened, but later I remembered signing up for a free trial for an app I needed for doing an assignment. I gave my credit card details and thought I had canceled it, but maybe something went wrong. Since then, I’ve been super careful about where I use my credit card online and always double-check cancellations.
A Suspicious Call from Bank
One evening, I got a call from a number that showed my bank’s name on the screen. The person on the phone knew my name and said my account was blocked because of suspicious activity. There was background noise, like they were calling from a busy bank, so it felt very real. They told me they needed to do an identity check to unblock my account and asked me about my last transaction. At first, I believed them. But then I realized something strange—the call was in the evening, and I knew banks don’t usually call at that time. I told them I would visit the bank in person the next day, but they insisted it could only be solved over the phone. When I asked more questions, they suddenly hung up. That’s when I knew it was a scam. I was lucky to avoid losing money, but it reminded me to always be cautious, even if a call seems very official.
A.N
Job Scam
When I first arrived in Canada, I was so excited to find a part-time job. I wanted to earn money and feel independent. I found a customer service job on a popular website, and the "employer" contacted me very fast. They told me they liked my resume and wanted to hire me immediately. But they said I needed to buy special software for remote work and sent me a link. I didn’t think much about it and paid $150. After I sent the payment, they completely disappeared—no emails, no replies. That’s when I realized I was scammed. I felt so frustrated and even ashamed. Now, I always double-check companies and never send money for a job, no matter how urgent it seems
Rental Scam Before Coming to Canada
Before I moved to Canada, I was so worried about finding a place to live. I searched online and found an amazing apartment—fully furnished, close to transit, and the price was surprisingly low. The landlord seemed very friendly and polite in emails and said I had to send a deposit quickly because many people were interested. It felt like the perfect deal! But I decided to ask some friends in Vancouver about it, just to be sure. They immediately told me that the price was unrealistically cheap and probably a scam. I didn’t send any money, and later I saw posts online warning about similar fake listings. It was such a relief that I didn’t fall for it, but it taught me an important lesson: always check with local people or friends before making big decisions, especially with money