Fraud Month: Mass Marketing & Telephone Scams

28 Mar 2025

Fraudulent phone scams(External link) are a prevalent issue, with scammers using spoofed phone numbers to deceive victims into believing they are receiving legitimate calls. These scams often involve impersonating trusted entities such as tech support from companies like Microsoft, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), airlines, or other reputable organizations.

Scammers may claim there is an urgent problem with your computer, unpaid taxes, or a missed flight, and demand immediate payment or personal information. Fraudulent telemarketers also use similar tactics, offering fake products or services and pressuring victims into making quick decisions. Mass mail-outs and subscription scams involve sending deceptive offers or bills through the mail, tricking recipients into paying for non-existent services or subscriptions.

Here are a few examples of other scams and schemes:

Emergency scams(External link), also known as grandparent scams, exploit the victim's emotions by pretending to be a distressed relative in need of immediate financial assistance.
Work-at-home schemes(External link) promise lucrative job opportunities but require upfront fees for training or materials, leaving victims with nothing in return.
CRA scams(External link) involve callers posing as tax officials, threatening legal action unless immediate payment is made.
Foreign lottery or prize schemes(External link) claim the victim has won a large sum of money but require payment of fees to release the winnings.
Overpayment schemes(External link) target sellers, where scammers send a fake check for more than the agreed amount and request the excess to be refunded.
Inheritance scams(External link) involve fake notifications of a large inheritance, requiring payment of fees to process the claim.
Credit card interest rate reduction schemes(External link) promise lower rates but require upfront fees, ultimately providing no benefit to the victim.

By staying informed about these scams, individuals can better protect themselves and avoid falling victim to fraudulent activities.

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