Fraud Prevention Month to focus on impersonation fraud, one of the fastest growing forms of fraud

March is Fraud Prevention Month in Canada, and this year's campaign focuses on impersonation fraud, which has emerged as one of the fastest-growing forms of fraud affecting Canadians. Impersonation fraud occurs when criminals pretend to be from legitimate organizations such as banks, government agencies (CRA, Service Canada), law enforcement, or well-known businesses. These fraudsters use various tactics including phone calls, text messages, emails, and social media to contact victims. They create a sense of urgency, often claiming there's a problem with taxes, a government benefit, a bank account, or legal trouble that requires immediate action and payment. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reports that impersonation fraud has cost Canadians millions of dollars. During Fraud Prevention Month, educational campaigns will teach Canadians how to recognize red flags such as unsolicited contact, pressure to act quickly, requests for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and threats of arrest or legal consequences. Remember: legitimate organizations will never pressure you to make immediate payments or threaten you with arrest.