I’ve been scammed!! NOW WHAT??
There are many upsetting moments in life. It could be something as mundane as stepping in water and getting your sock wet, or something terrible, such as realizing you have fallen victim to a scam. Perhaps you only suspect that you have been scammed, but either way, there are important steps that you need to take.
First and foremost, collect your thoughts. Gather all documents, receipts, and copies of emails and texts involved in the scam. If you feel that your mail has been redirected, contact Canada Post as soon as possible.
Report it to your financial institution:
If you have shared financial information, mailed or transferred money in a scam, contact your financial institution or credit card company immediately using the phone number on your card, in the official app, or on the official website. They will try to stop any transfers and change or flag your accounts. Ensure that you change any passwords and PINs. Report the fraud to Equifax and Trans-Union, Canada’s two major credit reporting agencies. Ask about their ID Restoration Specialists, who can assist you in recovering from identity theft.
Call the police:
Report the scam or identity theft to your local police agency for a police investigation. Your report provides law enforcement with valuable information that helps investigators build a case against scammers. Your report can help prevent others from falling victim to the same scam.
You may own a business that a scammer has targeted. If you have, please report this to the police to assist them in helping the business community protect itself from similar threats. Police agencies can build awareness campaigns to educate the public. Woodstock Police Force’s Community Engagement Unit has partnered with local financial institutions to provide several public presentations on fraud.
It is often difficult to recover money that has been transferred. However, your chances become slimmer the longer you wait to report the incident to your bank and police. Scammers will often target victims a second or third time with the promise of recovering lost money. Never send recovery money; notify the police if you receive a request.
Report frauds or attempted scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) even if you were not a victim. The CAFC is a key resource in collecting reports on all types of current and historical frauds and scams in Canada. You can do this online at the CAFC website to report the scam or call their toll-free number.
Just remember, by reporting a scam, you are protecting yourself and contributing to a safer environment for everyone. Stay safe.
For more information, see the following links:
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/ Toll-Free 1-888-495-8501
Lost or Stolen Immigration documents: Citizenship and Immigration Canada – https://ircc.canada.ca/
Lost or stolen passport: Passport Canada – https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports.html
