FORT McMURRAY — Wood Buffalo RCMP are reminding residents to stay vigilant against fraud as part of a provincewide awareness campaign during Fraud Prevention Month.
Police say the initiative, led by the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association, aims to educate the public about common scams and how to avoid them as fraud attempts increasingly occur through digital communication.
“With the rise in digital communication, fraudsters are finding new ways to scam unsuspecting victims,” Wood Buffalo RCMP said in a statement.
Mounties are encouraging residents to be cautious when receiving unsolicited emails, messages or pop-ups online, particularly those that create urgency or contain spelling and formatting errors.
Police say residents should avoid clicking unknown links or attachments, keep antivirus software and operating systems up to date, and use strong, unique passwords for online accounts.
RCMP also advise people not to share personal information such as birthdates, addresses or banking details unless they initiated the contact.
Fraudsters often attempt to pressure victims into sending money immediately or paying fees to claim prizes, police said.
“In Canada, legitimate prizes do not require fees or taxes to claim,” RCMP said.
Police say residents should verify businesses through official websites before providing information or making payments and confirm family emergencies through other relatives if contacted unexpectedly.
Anyone who believes they may have been targeted by fraud is encouraged to contact Wood Buffalo RCMP at 780-788-4000 or 310-RCMP.
Police also recommend reporting incidents to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and notifying banks or credit card companies if financial information may have been compromised.
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