RCMP spotlight online scams as Fraud Prevention Month campaign targets growing digital threats

THUNDER BAY – The RCMP is using Fraud Prevention Month to warn Canadians about the rising threat of online scams, from phishing emails to fake job offers and tech-support fraud. While the campaign is being promoted in Alberta through the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association, the message is highly relevant in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario, where residents and businesses face the same digital risks seen across the country.

Fraud Prevention Month campaign focuses on online deception

The RCMP says it will be sharing tips and resources in support of the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association’s Fraud Prevention Month campaign, aimed at educating Albertans on how fraud harms individuals, families and communities.

Today’s theme is online scams and fraud. Police say that includes a wide range of schemes, including romance scams, phishing emails, job scams, buy-and-sell fraud, lottery and prize scams, tech repair scams and impersonation scams.

The warning reflects a broader national concern as more fraud attempts move online and target people through email, text messages, social media and online marketplaces.

RCMP urge Canadians to slow down before clicking or responding

Cpl. Sean Milne of the RCMP Provincial Financial Crime Team in Federal Policing Northwest Region said scammers often rely on urgency, emotion and impersonation to pressure people into acting before they have time to think.

“Stay sharp online. Any unexpected message, link, or request should raise your guard. Scammers rely on urgency, emotion, and impersonation to make people act fast. Always remember to slow down, double-check things on your own, and trust your instincts when something feels off. A little skepticism goes a long way in keeping you safe.”

That advice is especially relevant as phishing attempts and impersonation scams become more polished and more difficult to detect at first glance.

Common scams now target everyday online activity

Police say online fraud can appear in many ordinary digital spaces, including dating platforms, employment websites, online classifieds, email inboxes and customer-service requests.

Among the scam types highlighted by the campaign are:

Romance scams, where fraudsters build trust before asking for money.

Phishing emails, where fake messages try to steal passwords, banking details or other personal information.

Job scams, where fake employers offer work or request personal and financial data.

Buy-and-sell fraud, where sellers or buyers deceive people in online marketplace transactions.

Lottery and prize scams, where victims are told they have won something but must first pay fees or share sensitive details.

Tech repair scams, where fraudsters pose as support workers and try to gain access to devices or accounts.

Impersonation scams, where criminals pretend to be trusted institutions, police, government officials or businesses.

Resources available to help people recognize warning signs

As part of the campaign, the RCMP is encouraging Canadians to use available online resources to better recognize suspicious activity.

Those resources include information on the seven red flags associated with phishing, how to spot a legitimate job opportunity and how phishing works and how to stay safe.

For readers in Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario, the message is simple: treat unsolicited messages with caution, especially when they involve money, passwords, remote access to a device or demands for immediate action.

What to do if you think you are being targeted

Anyone unsure whether they are being targeted by a scam is encouraged to review the Government of Canada’s information on common scam types.

If you have been a victim of fraud, the RCMP says you should report it to your local police service and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. People who believe their banking or credit card information has been compromised should also contact their financial institution immediately.

For Northwestern Ontario residents, that advice is increasingly important as fraud losses can spread quickly from one compromised account, device or online identity into broader financial damage.