Scam Alert! The Most Common Online Frauds and How to Stay Safe

Hi, I’m Julie Matthews and I’m a fraud nerd. I have spent years educating people on how to spot and avoid online scams. But here’s the thing—scammers are getting smarter every day. Technology is giving fraudsters an edge and it is easier than ever to fall for their tricks. I have seen firsthand how devastating fraud can be.

You might think you would never fall for a scam, but the truth is, there’s a scam out there for everyone. We are all potential targets, including businesses and community organizations. All it takes is one moment of distraction—one wrong click—and suddenly, the scammer has found a way in.

Here are five online scams you need to watch out for:

1. Phishing Scams

Your account has been compromised? Nope. It is just a scare tactic that fraudsters use to try to get you to click the link. Scammers impersonate legitimate organizations, such as banks, government agencies, popular retailers and even phone and internet providers, to trick individuals into providing personal and financial information. (They could even pretend to be MCSnet) These fraudulent communications often come via email but sometimes through social media ads as well and may direct victims to fake websites designed to steal their data.​ 

2. Tax Scams

Fraudsters know many people are starting to think about tax time and love to pose as representatives from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), claiming that the victim owes back taxes or is entitled to a tax refund. You often receive an email in which they may threaten legal action or arrest to intimidate individuals into making payments or divulging sensitive information. ​The real CRA will not email you about these types of issues. The agency will instead tell you to log into My Account on the CRA website to view the details.

3. Romance Scams

These scams involve criminals creating fake profiles (with stolen photographs) on dating sites and social media platforms to establish relationships with victims. They are very convincing. Once trust is built, they fabricate emergencies or investment opportunities to solicit money from the unsuspecting individual. These frauds are especially devastating as they target victims emotionally and financially and due to embarrassment, many victims never report these frauds to police. 

4. Tech Support Scams

Scammers contact victims, often by pop-up messages, claiming to be from reputable tech companies. They assert that the victim’s computer has a virus or technical issue and request remote access or payment for unnecessary services. Some victims also get caught up in this scam when they do a Google search online for their internet service provider or tech repair company and unknowingly click on a fake or cloned website with a similar name. Do not automatically trust what shows up at the top of an internet search. Verify before clicking.

5. Buy and Sell Scams

A buy and sell scam is a type of fraud that occurs on online marketplaces, classified ads, or social media platforms where scammers trick buyers or sellers into losing money or goods. These scams can take various forms, including fake payments, counterfeit goods, and fraudulent listings. The most common red flag is that the seller will want a deposit up front and will always have an excuse as to why you can’t see the item in person first. After you send the funds by e-transfer, suddenly the seller will block you and disappear. The fraudsters often steal photos from legitimate ads to create the fake ones. Their profile and photo are also usually fake or stolen. 

Steps to Protect Yourself:

• Be Skeptical: Approach unsolicited communications with caution, especially those requesting personal information or money.​ If you did not initiate the contact, be suspicious. 

• Verify and Identify: Independently confirm the legitimacy of the person or organization by using official contact information.​ Look up the website or phone number yourself and reach out to confirm. Verify the website is the correct one before clicking on anything. Do a reverse image search on any photos they provide, especially with romance scams and buy and sell schemes.

• Think before you click: Many email scams and online schemes involve trying to get you to click on a link. This link may contain malware that will be downloaded onto your device or take you to a fake website to have you enter your personal or financial information. Scrutinize links. Don’t click unless you are sure. 

• Protect your personal information: Never share sensitive details (SIN, passwords, banking info) with people or websites you do not trust. Be mindful of what you share on social media. Scammers use personal details to make their scams more convincing. Don’t overshare and make it easy for them. 

• Keep your devices secure: Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) where possible. Don’t reuse passwords and change them often. Keep your software, apps, and antivirus programs updated to protect against malware.

• If it seems too good to be true, it usually is: This is an old rule but a great one! Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it likely is.

Report fraud as it happens. Contact your local RCMP or police agency and notify the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre of any suspected scams to help protect others. 

In 2024, Canadians lost a staggering $638 million to fraud, and scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Fraud affects everyone, regardless of age or background. Recent studies reveal that individuals aged 18 to 45 are now targeted by scams more frequently than seniors. The best defense against fraud is awareness—education and prevention are essential to staying safe.

Please talk to your family and friends about the risks and latest tactics.  Let’s fight fraud together! 

For more information on these scams and more, visit Julie Matthews’ website and follow her social media channels:

Instagram: @juliematthewstroubleshooter

Facebook: @julie.matthewsglobaledmonton

X: @JulieMHelps

TikTok: @troubleshooterjulie

YouTube: @juliematthewshelps

Stay up to date with current scams affecting MCSnet customers on our Fraud Prevention Resource and Knowledge Hub.