VANCOUVER, B.C., Feb. 28, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BBB’s National Top 10 Scams have been a driving force for awareness of fraudulent activity in Canada for many years. This annual, villainous list is created with key information from BBB’s Scam Tracker website, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and critical concerns frequently brought forward by our community partners and corporate sponsors.
Scammers bilked Canadians of over 95 million dollars in 2017 and, once again, it’s believed that only 5% of those victimized actually come forward to report losses. Taking that into account, the actual losses quickly balloon to the range of $2 billion dollars.
“Everyone is a target now,” says Danielle Primrose, President, and CEO of BBB serving Mainland BC and representing BBBs across Canada. “Staying informed and on top of the numerous ways scammers try and get your money is key to making sure you don’t fall victim. That’s why we do this every year. Recognize it, report it, stop it.”
The Top 10 Scams of 2017
1. Online Purchase Scams
2. Wire Fraud - Spearphishing
3. Online Dating Scams
4. Employment Scams
5. Cryptocurrency Scams
6. Income Tax Scam
7. Miracle Weight Loss Scams
8. Advance Fee Loans
9. Shady Contractor Services
10. Fake Invoices
For more details on the Top 10 Scams and tips to avoid them go to bit.ly/top10scams
BBB encourages businesses and consumers to practice cyber security and protect their personal information and it starts with regularly changing your passwords. Using strong passwords and changing them every few months keeps hackers and scammers at bay. Use #bbbpasswordday on March 15, 2018 to show you've changed your passwords or ask questions about cyber security.
SCAM TRACKER
Spot a business or offer that sounds like an illegal scheme or fraud? Tell us about it. Help us investigate and warn others by reporting what you know. Visit us at www.bbb.org/scamtracker.
BBB would like to thank our thousands of Accredited Businesses and the following sponsors and community partners for their continued support:
The Competition Bureau of Canada
The Bank of Canada
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Global Payments Canada
Consumer Debtor Protection Canada
Option Consommateurs
BC Securities Commission
Vancouver Police Department
About BBB
For more than 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses and brands they can trust. In 2017, people turned to BBB more than 365 million times for information on local businesses, all available for free at bbb.org. Better Business Bureaus in Canada represent 10 of 103 independent BBBs in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) is the network hub for BBBs in the US and Canada. Like BBBs, CBBB is dedicated to fostering honest and responsive relationships between businesses and consumers -- instilling consumer confidence and advancing a trustworthy marketplace for all.
Media Contacts:
For media contacts in your Canadian BBB service area, go to bit.ly/top10contacts.