Fraud: Test Your Knowledge and Avoid Becoming a Victim 

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Whether it’s a romance scam, theft of personal data, or investment fraud, no one is immune to fraud. In 2023, fraudsters stole more than $560 million in Canada alone. As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Here’s a short quiz to test your knowledge and help you avoid falling prey to fraudsters.

Fraude : démêlez le vrai du faux avec notre quiz (ANG)

1. You could be the victim of a romance scam just by having video calls with the person who’s tickling your heart.

Right answer

These days, technology makes it possible to fake videos — even live ones. You could face this situation when browsing dating sites. After modifying his or her face, the fraudster can employ any of the following schemes: 

  • ask you for personal information, then use that information to steal your identity  
  • offer to exchange intimate photos with you, then threaten to post them online if you refuse to pay something 
  • ask you for money, claiming they have financial problems

Wrong answer

These days, technology makes it possible to fake videos — even live ones. You could face this situation when browsing dating sites. After modifying his or her face, the fraudster can employ any of the following schemes:

  • ask you for personal information, then use that information to steal your identity  
  • offer to exchange intimate photos with you, then threaten to post them online if you refuse to pay something 
  • ask you for money, claiming they have financial problems

2. Fraud is always committed by people you don’t know.

Wrong answer

Even someone you know can try to defraud you. Be especially careful if someone 

  • keeps coming up with excuses to ask you for money, 
  • insists that you accept an opportunity that’s too good to be true, or 
  • asks for your login and password info to supposedly help you with something.

Keep in mind that you can always refuse to let your loved ones use your credit or bank cards.

To learn more, watch our video Can a Loved One Commit Fraud against You?

 

Right answer

Even someone you know can try to defraud you. Be especially careful if someone 

  • keeps coming up with excuses to ask you for money, 
  • insists that you accept an opportunity that’s too good to be true, or 
  • asks for your login and password info to supposedly help you with something.

Keep in mind that you can always refuse to let your loved ones use your credit or bank cards.

To learn more, watch our video Can a Loved One Commit Fraud against You?

3. An email that has no attachments can’t harm you.

Wrong answer

Emails aren’t just dangerous because of their attachments. Pay attention to the links they contain, too. Don’t click on any that ask you to log in to one of your online accounts. You could land on a site that looks identical to the legitimate one but has been created to steal your personal data. 

Note that the government and banks avoid sending texts and emails asking you to do something (for example, change your password or deposit a tax refund).

Right answer

Emails aren’t just dangerous because of their attachments. Pay attention to the links they contain, too. Don’t click on any that ask you to log in to one of your online accounts. You could land on a site that looks identical to the legitimate one but has been created to steal your personal data. 

Note that the government and banks avoid sending texts and emails asking you to do something (for example, change your password or deposit a tax refund).

4. Your anti-virus protects you against fraud.

Right answer

A good anti-virus can help reduce the risk of clicking on a dangerous link. However, you can protect yourself even further by

  • learning about different types of frauds that have been reported (for example, on TV and radio, or by talking to family and friends), 
  • calling l’Autorité des marchés financiers (Quebec securities commission) in case of any doubt about an investment you are being offered (1 877 525-0337), and 
  • avoiding sharing your personal information, whenever possible. 

Wrong answer

A good anti-virus can help reduce the risk of clicking on a dangerous link. However, you can protect yourself even further by

  • learning about different types of frauds that have been reported (for example, on TV and radio, or by talking to family and friends), 
  • calling l’Autorité des marchés financiers (Quebec securities commission) in case of any doubt about an investment you are being offered (1 877 525-0337), and 
  • avoiding sharing your personal information, whenever possible. 

5. A person found guilty of fraud faces a maximum of two years in prison.

Wrong answer

Fraudsters can face up to 14 years in prison if they obtained more than $5,000 through fraud.

Right answer

Fraudsters can face up to 14 years in prison if they obtained more than $5,000 through fraud.

6. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is the only place you can report fraud.

Wrong answer

If you have been the victim of fraud, you should contact your local police. It’s their job to investigate crimes. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre provides a centralized repertoire of types of frauds. It can be helpful during investigations.

  • For fraud related to an investment, you can contact: 
  • For fraud related to a government benefit, you can contact:
    • The Canada Revenue Agency for a federal benefit: 1 800-265-2577 
    • Revenu Québec for a provincial benefit: 1 800 267-6299 

Right answer

If you have been the victim of fraud, you should contact your local police. It’s their job to investigate crimes. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre provides a centralized repertoire of types of frauds. It can be helpful during investigations.

  • For fraud related to an investment, you can contact: 
  • For fraud related to a government benefit, you can contact:
    • The Canada Revenue Agency for a federal benefit: 1 800-265-2577 
    • Revenu Québec for a provincial benefit: 1 800 267-6299