In today’s digital age, phone and email scams pose a significant threat to Canadians, especially seniors. From “grandparent scams” to bank fraud, it’s more important than ever to protect yourself – and your loved ones.

You may think it’s hard to fall for random phone calls, but recent data from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) says that in 2023 alone, more than 41,000 victims in Canada lost a staggering $554 million to scammers. Only a small portion of that was recovered by the CAFC (about $6.7 million between 2021 and 2023).

An expert tells Yahoo Canada It is important to recognize warning signs, respond effectively to potential scams, and educate seniors about evolving tactics.

Here’s what you need to know.

What are the warning signs of fraud? What should I look out for?

The CAFC received more than 62,000 reports of fraud or attempted fraud in 2023 and identified approximately 70 different types of fraud.

The agency’s outreach officer, Jeff Horncastle, said Yahoo Canada some are more common in Canada than others. The most common scams that people fall for are those that target other people’s emotions (such as the “grandparent scam” or winning a fake lottery) or cause stress over financial situations (such as a fake debt).

If you receive an incoming call and the caller Request for personal informationor to send a payment for whatever reason – consider this a first warning sign.

Here’s what Canadians should know:

• Caller ID spoofing: Scammers can change the phone number displayed on caller ID. It may look like a bank, family member, or lawyer is calling—but it could be fake.

• Phishing: Scammers can hide their email addresses and use technology to personalize emails to appear legitimate, but are not.

• Service fraud: Offers such as cheap cell phone plans may request confidential information such as social security or driver’s license numbers for the purpose of an alleged credit check.

• Fraud by bank investigators: Scammers posing as financial institutions (banks, investors, Amazon) may claim there have been fraudulent transactions on accounts and ask victims to disclose personal or financial information.

• Emergency Fraud: Commonly known as Grandparent fraudwhere callers claim to be relatives who urgently need bail due to fictitious accidents or legal problems.

• Deep fakes: Artificial intelligence can make a video look like a celebrity is selling something they aren’t, and that could be a scam. Even if you see a video of them, that doesn’t mean it’s real.

The grandparent scam increased dramatically from 2022 to 2023. In Canada, about $11.3 million was lost when people fell victim to this scam.

“Typically, it involves a phone call pretending to be a loved one or grandchild who has been in an accident, is in trouble, and is at risk of being arrested. In many cases, a second suspect will answer the phone pretending to be from the police or a lawyer and say that bail is required and a bill must be paid to avoid going to jail,” Horncastle explained. Victims may be asked to have the money picked up from their home, mailed to them, or sent via wire or bank transfer.

But what exactly should you do if you receive such a call? Read on to find out the expert’s advice.

How should I respond to and report a suspicious call, text message or email?

If you receive a suspicious call, you should be cautious because “technology fraud is becoming increasingly difficult to detect,” Horncastle said.

Before you give out any personal information or answer any questions, be sure to tell the caller that you will hang up and call back to verify their identity.

The expert advises that the best thing to do is hang up and find an official phone number of the caller. If it is a bank, Amazon, FedEx, a government agency or another service, look up the number online and call it to confirm. In the case of a grandparent scam, call your loved one at the number in your contacts to confirm the story.

In cases where individuals suspect that they have been victims of assault or victimization, A timely report is crucial.

The CAFC provides ways to report incidents so that authorities can investigate and take appropriate action. Victims should also take steps to reduce the risk of identity theft by following the procedures outlined on the CAFC website.

If you have been the victim of an attack, also call your local police.

How can I educate the older people in my life about fraud?

Expert Horncastle stressed the importance of starting these conversations in a non-threatening manner and focusing on educating rather than spreading fear.

“Just having that conversation and making our loved ones aware of the tactics and tools scammers use can go a long way,” Horncastle said. Real-life examples, such as recent scams reported in the news or personal anecdotes, can help seniors understand the reality of the threat.

Another practical advice is a Code word with your loved one.

“For example, think of a code word for your grandchild, just in case, as an extra layer of protection. So if you’re not sure if your loved one is on the phone, you can ask them for the code word,” he advised. However, he added, the best way to protect yourself is to make an outgoing call.

Horncastle advised families that there are some signs that an older person may have been the victim of a scam in their life. These may include being secretive, trying to hide their devices or mentioning an online romantic relationship that they are keeping secret.

The best action, however, is prevention. Encouraging seniors to verify requests for personal information or payments can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of fraud in the first place.

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