The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) says criminals are using their name as part of various scams to try and defraud people out of their money.
Officials say they are seeing an increase in reports of fraudsters impersonating the CAFC and contacting victims of fraud by phone, email or through social media and claiming to be working with them as part of an ongoing investigation.
“Fraudsters may claim to be a fraud investigator from your bank, a major credit card provider or another well-known business,” CAFC officials say. “They may tell you there are unauthorized transactions on your account or that your banking information has been compromised.”
Officials say the fraudsters pretend to represent the CAFC, law enforcement or another government agency and may send fake documents, such as letters or emails, using the CAFC’s logo while requesting that victims provide them with debit or credit card information or send money to a “safe” account in order to assist with the investigation.
“If someone asks you to pay money to recover money you have already lost, it is a fraud,” CAFC officials say.
The CAFC says they and/or law enforcement will never ask people to transfer money or make a payment, ask for remote access to your computer or mobile device, or ask for banking information and passwords. They say if you should receive a call claiming to be from your bank or the anti-fraud centre, hang up and contact your financial institution directly.
