The OPP is reminding you to stay vigilant of frauds and scams, arm yourself with the information you need to fight fraud and keep yourself, your family, and money safe.
"You work hard for your money: you want to spend it on things that matter to you," says Constable Bev Gauthier. "Fraudsters are real: They are out there every day looking for victims. They will target you online, over the phone, by mail, or in person.
You're a target: Thousands of Canadians lose millions of dollars to fraudsters every year. The impact of fraud on families and businesses can be devastating.
Learn to fight fraud: One resource booklet is the Little Black Book of Scams that includes 12 of the most common scams currently targeting Canadians. It is filled with tips and tricks on how to protect yourself and what to do if you get scammed.
Report it! Anyone can be targeted, from teenagers to grandparents, to senior corporate officers. The best thing you can do is to report the fraud, whatever the amount, to the appropriate authorities. Don't be embarrassed as it will help others from falling for it.
Knowledge is your power: Protect yourself by seeking out more information. You can consult numerous trusted websites for more information.
If you or someone you know have become a victim of fraud and has been tricked into giving personal or financial information, contact OPP at 1-888-310-1122. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, managed by the RCMP, the Competition Bureau and the Ontario Provincial Police, has plenty of information on fraud.
