Fraud fatigue: Canadians sick of scammers

It’s not just COVID-19 weighing us down — a new poll finds Canadians have had enough with scammers.

The sentiment of fraud fatigue goes beyond those fake phone calls claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency or Service Canada, or a multitude of other agencies.

The survey from Interac Corp., which polled 1,700 adults across the country, finds 86 per cent of respondents are tired of receiving fraud attempts, which the company says happen “with alarming regularity,” noting more than half of Canadians polled report getting at least one a week.

When it comes to what we’re most worried about, Interac says almost 80 per cent of people asked say identity fraud is their top concern, while almost 50 per cent of respondents believe their personal information is at greater risk now than it was before the pandemic began.

But if you’re looking for someone to blame for what’s happening, the results seem to indicate the answer may be in the mirror.

Interac says “Canadians may be unknowingly providing personal information” through a variety of avenues, including on social media, through gaming or entertainment apps, in online marketplaces, or even through email.

“The sophistication of fraud attempts is compounding the threat,” the company notes, adding nearly 40 per cent of respondents have said they’ve experienced a scam attempt from someone using personal information to try to dupe them. That includes information like a person’s full name, address, or even birth date.

A person types on a computer with one hand while holding a credit card with the other

Interac says nearly 25 per cent of Canadians surveyed don’t scrutinize the information they post online.

As our worlds increasingly move online, Interac Corp is urging Canadians to be cautious about what kind of information they share, and to practice what it calls “good digital hygiene,” such as not sharing identifying details like your home address or licence plate in social media posts.

“Our research reveals that, in our increasingly digital world, many Canadians have behaved in ways that may make them more vulnerable to cybercriminals who are attempting to access their digital data and then use it to try to scam Canadians,” said Rachel Jolicoeur, director, Fraud Mitigation & Strategy, Interac.

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, victims reported nearly $380 million lost to scams in 2021.

Fraud is no joke! Victims have reported a total loss of $379 Million to the CAFC in 2021. Fraud prevention is the number one tool to combat fraud. Recognize, Reject and Report fraud by visiting the CAFC website: https://t.co/iRgB15iBWN #FPM2022 pic.twitter.com/44wyg6phEl

— Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (@canantifraud) April 1, 2022

Jolicoeur notes that while the industry has a role to play in solutions to this growing problem, Canadians also need to do their part.

“As digital shifts take hold and the fight against fraud escalates, Canadians can take action to protect their security online,” added Jolicoeur.

Interac also recommends people use multi-factor authentication, when possible, and review things like statements for any signs of fraud.

As always, people are also reminded to change their passwords and to use ones that are complex and unique for different sites.

If you receive a request for information that you weren’t expecting, don’t feel compelled to respond. Always scrutinize a situation if you feel like you are being targeted and if you suspect fraud, take steps to verify who is trying to reach you and report it.

For a list of types of scams often reported in the Ottawa area and how to handle them, visit the Ottawa Police Service’s website.