Informative Fraud Prevention coffee table talk

A large crowd gathered to hear a Coffee Table Talk given by Troy McGill from Sunrise Credit Union on fraud and scam prevention and detection.

Scams and frauds are nothing new, but the tactics scammers use are always evolving.

Troy began by saying his intent was not to scare anyone but to provide information on what is out there and what to watch for.

“Fraud is big business now. According to 2025 statistics, over $704 million was lost to fraud in that year. The actual amount lost to fraud is much higher, given that only 5 to 10% of all frauds are reported.”

Troy went on to share; “Any form of communication can be used to target victims. These people have no conscience, compassion, ethics or morals, but they are well-versed in how to manipulate anyone who does. You are your first line of defence against these criminals, and understanding what to look for and avoiding getting caught up in it is key. Unfortunately, we aren’t made aware of a situation until a member reports a financial loss or has given out personal information.”

Troy went on to share with those in attendance many of the common frauds that are currently circulating, including:

“Phishing scams: Emails, texts, and messages impersonating organizations in hopes you will release personal information or trick you into following provided links, allowing them to gather personal information.

“Impersonation Scams: Fraudsters pose as government agencies (CRA) or Vital Statistics (SIN) and threaten consequences unless immediate payment is made.

“You may also receive emails suggesting you have a tax refund waiting to be deposited via e-transfer, or phone calls from a number that appears legitimate.

“Emergency/Grandparent Scam: fraudsters impersonate loved ones in trouble and need financial help.

“Online Shopping Scams (social media, marketplace): Links that lead to unsafe sites to enter your information. Scammers will send you links to accept payments for items you are selling.

“Tech Support Scams: Scammers will call or email, claiming your devices have issues and requesting access to fix them, allowing them to gain remote access to your device and stored information.

“Romance/Friend Scam: Fraudsters create online profiles to build trust and manipulate you into sending money, buying gift cards, remote depositing funds, or supplying personal information. These scams have been linked to mule scams. The fraudster convinces you to deposit and transfer funds for money laundering. Never accept money from someone you do not know for any reason.

“Investment Scam: Online advertising of cryptocurrency or opportunities that promise large investments.

“Job Fraud: Posting fake jobs online in hopes of gathering information from people.

“Anti-Fraud Scams: People are calling and claiming to be from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and requesting information. They will ask for the CVC number from the backs of your credit cards as well as other personal information under the guise of completing their file or any number of other reasons they may give you.”

Troy made it clear that fraudsters will stop at nothing to get what they want, and they can seem very convincing, going on to share a list of red flags and other things to watch out for.

Be very cautious of utilizing links provided by outside organizations or unverified contacts.

Check website addresses for misspelled words and ensure they have https// for secure sites.

Be wary of threats or demands for secrecy or too good to be true scenarios.

One thing fraudsters have in common is their tendency to instil a sense of urgency. By making a victim feel they need to act immediately or resolve the issue, they hope the intended victim won’t have time to investigate further and potentially discover the scam.

Always be skeptical of any out-of-the-ordinary payment methods and strange links to deposit e-transfers

Be wary of anyone who asks you to verify your birthdate, SIN, or any other personal information.

No one will ask you for a MoneyGram to restore or activate your SIN or any other accounts.

What can you do to protect yourself?

Use strong passwords.

Set up online notifications for your account or credit cards.

Ask questions to someone you trust. Don’t feel pressured to provide an immediate response.

For online shopping, search the site up for yourself rather than using links found on social media.

Enable biometrics for log-ins and two-factor authentication.

He went on to add; “If you think you have been a victim, report the fraud immediately to your financial institution and your local RCMP detachment.”

Thank you to the Cypress River Senior Centre for organizing this Coffee Table Talk and to Troy McGill for sharing the information and insights into how to spot a scam and how to protect ourselves from fraudsters.

Scammers are everywhere and very savvy.
You are your first line of defence.

Question everything, remember it is okay to say no, and if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

PHOTO CAPTION: Troy McGill hosted a coffee-table talk on ‘Scams’ at the Cypress River Senior Centre last week. PHOTO BY SUZANNE PADDOCK