3 rising fraud trends

(NC) According to research from Royal Bank of Canada, 75 per cent of Canadians say they are more concerned about fraud than ever before, and it suggests they have good reason. With the use of new technology and an increase in fraudsters coaching their victims, criminals are employing a new level of sophistication to their scams.

As awareness is the first step in reducing your risk, here are three fraud trends to look out for this year.

1. Impersonation scams: Criminals often pretend to be trusted sources, like government officials, bank staff, law enforcement or even a family member to trick you into providing money or confidential information. Now fraudsters are using voice cloning and computer-manipulated images or videos, making impersonation scams even harder to detect. As this type of scam continues to evolve, it’s important to keep your guard up. Some experts recommend using a short and generic voicemail to deter robo-callers from capturing your name or voice and having a personal password to use with loved ones to verify you’re speaking to the right person.

2. Social engineering scams: These scams usually increase during times of economic challenge when people may be more vulnerable and fall for promises of easy money. They happen when fraudsters use details they may already know about you to manipulate your emotions and get you to share confidential information. That’s why it’s important to be cautious about what you share online, and never feel pressured to respond. If you receive an unsolicited call, email or text asking for money or your information, hang up or delete it.

3. Victim involvement in scams: In the past, third parties stole your information, made purchases or took your money. This type of fraud was easier to detect. As banks and other institutions have increased security and detection measures, criminals are using additional fraud tactics. They now coach their victims to participate in scams. After gaining their trust, fraudsters pressure, threaten or trick people into lying to loved ones or financial advisors or persuade victims to get involved in a money scheme, investment or contest. Victims unknowingly become part of scams when they authorize the transaction or activity, making these scams tougher to spot. That’s why it’s important to stay vigilant. Pause, ask questions and resist the temptation to act in the moment.

Learn more about how to spot the signs of common scams and find tips to keep your money and information safe at rbc.com/cyber.