Cyber criminals are innovative and always looking for new ways to scam unsuspecting people. It’s important to be aware of the most common ways cyber criminals try to scam people and be diligent in protecting ourselves form these tactics.
Most common scams
While the fundamentals of fraud are consistent, the tactics used by cybercriminals vary. Here are some of the most common scams to be watching for:
- Representative impersonation: Scammers pose as a representative of a legitimate organization offering a great deal. They often spoof numbers to make them look more legitimate, and pressure targets into committing to a deal that is too good to be true or giving up personal information. Ask lots of questions and never give out personal information. If you have any concerns hang up and call the organization on a known number.
- Account takeover: Cybercriminals attempt to access and takeover your accounts using stolen credentials from phishing or social engineering attacks, automated tools to guess passwords, or by impersonating you over the phone. Cyber criminals can also use the impersonation scam to gather your confidential information. Once into the account, criminals can change passwords, add authorized users, or make fraudulent purchases. Always use strong passwords, never re-use them between accounts and regularly check account activity.
- Identity theft/fraud: Scammers are looking for sensitive personal information to purchase goods or create new accounts. Always keep your wallet with you, cover your PIN, and never give out your sensitive information. Regularly check your credit report and monitor your bills for suspicious activity.
- Grandparent scam or emergency scam: Scammers contact you (via phone, email, text) posing as a loved one (grandchild, nephew, friend etc.) who may be in trouble and need money. Scammers use secrecy, speed and emotion to get targets to react quickly. Make sure this is the real person by asking other family members if they are aware of what is happening, speak to the person and ask questions only they would know.
- Romance scams: Fraudsters play on emotions, using fake identities and sweet promises to trick victims into sending money. They avoid meeting in person and prefer secrecy. If something feels off, take a break and talk to trusted friends and family for advice.
- Employment scams: These scams prey on those seeking employment, making fake promises of high income and creating a seemingly legitimate process. They often trick victims into sharing personal information, making purchases, paying for training or subscribing to programs. Sometimes they issue big paychecks and ask for a large portion to be returned. Always thoroughly research the job posting and the company, take your time, never pay upfront fees and use the interview process to ask lots of questions.
- Crypto or other investment scam: Fraudsters promote fraudulent investments schemes via social media and apply considerable pressure on individuals that express interest. Don’t fall for tempting offers. Always do your own research and consult with professionals when possible.
- Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) scam: Criminals contact you via text, email or phone calls and demand personal information or payment. The CRA will never request immediate payment, set up public meetings for payments, use aggressive language or ask for sensitive details like SINs, credit card numbers, or bank account information. They will always identify themselves and provide contact information for verification. If you are suspicious, hang up and contact CRA using a publicly listed phone number.
- Missed delivery scam: Suspicious emails or texts claiming a missed delivery and asking for payment should be treated with caution, especially if you weren’t expecting a package or the details (timing, tracking number) are incorrect. Double-check the sender’s name for variations from the legitimate shipper. If you are still unsure, look at the courier website and contact the shipper to confirm.
- Online shopping: Fraudsters pose as legitimate sellers and will post fake ads for non-existent or counterfeit items. Watch for signs like prices too good to be true or if you can’t find any additional information about them online.
The use of AI in scams is on the rise
Artificial intelligence is growing and evolving at an exponential rate. While businesses are looking to AI for help, cyber criminals are using it to make their scams more effective. Here is how AI is being used in scams:
Phishing and smishing: Using AI allows scammers to write a message which sounds more convincing and natural. It also easily allows the messages to be translated into many languages.
Images: AI can be used to quickly edit or create images that look very real. These can be used in websites, social media ads, headshots for profiles, fake documents or even explicit photos.
Deepfake videos: AI provides powerful capabilities to create highly realistic videos that can impersonate pertinent people, promote fake products, or spread disinformation.
Fake voices: AI can convincingly mimic voices, creating realistic audio for use in scams, such as fraudulent videos or phone calls.
Be aware and be diligent
Fraudsters are continuing to show their creativity with their scams and the tools they use. In all these scams they rely on deception and play on emotions to get us to take an action we normally would not do. Trust your instincts – if something doesn’t seem right exercise caution.
To learn more about fraud and how you can prevent it, we encourage you to read our other articles plus visit Bell.ca/security
for more in depth information.
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