Don't get scammed

Fraud and scams have been riding the headlines in newspapers for months. As we continue to become more connected the issue will continue to grow.
Although identity theft is the biggest perceived concern, greed from both the victim and the con artist's perception has been around longer than there have been pockets to pick.
The RCMP has a guide explaining what to look for in their guide available as a PDF document.
Information included includes intenet, telephone and mail scams.

One prime bit of information in protecting your identity is as follows what not to carry on you
eg:Your Social Insurance Number, birth certificate, passport and driver’s licence are the prime information targeted by criminals. Never carry the first three documents in your wallet, purse or car unless you require them for a specific purpose the same day.

The guide offers tips on

* Faked E-Commerce Sites
* Phishing
* Pharming
* SMiShing
* Vishing
* Prize Pitch
* Auction Fraud
* Malicious Software
* Wireless communications
* Public Access Computers
* Dating Services
* Advance Fee Loans
* Job Offer Scams
* False Charities
* 419/West African Letters
* Telemarketing Fraud
* 900 Scams
and specifically for seniors, warning signs that you are about to be scammed.

* You get a call or postcard from someone telling you you've won a prize and asking for payment to buy something, for processing or administrative fees, for customs, for taxes.

* The person says you have to take the offer immediately or you'll miss the opportunity.

* The caller claims that you can make huge profits in an investment with no risk.

* The caller claims that you can make huge profits through a franchise or other business opportunity with little or no effort.

* The caller is asking for a donation but won't tell you exactly how the money will be used and how you can verify the charity and what it does.

* The caller insists that you send your payment by a private courier or wire money. .

* The company asks for cash. Con artists may because they often have trouble getting merchant approval from the credit card companies, and they also want to be hard to trace.

* The caller asks for your social insurance number. No one asks for that unless you are applying for credit and they need to check your credit report.

* The caller asks for your credit card number, bank account number, or other financial information when you aren't buying anything or paying with those accounts.

* The company offers to get you a loan, or credit, or a credit card, or to "repair" your bad credit if you pay an up-front fee.

* The company offers to get back money that you have lost to another fraudulent scheme if you pay an up-front fee.

To download the guide access:
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/scams/canadian_practical_guide_e.htm