With holiday shopping in full swing, Manitoba RCMP are warning residents to be cautious online as fraudsters ramp up their attempts to steal money and personal information.
“Most Manitobans look forward to the holiday season, with many shopping online to find the perfect gift for loved ones,” said Staff Sgt. Kevin Cavanagh of the RCMP’s Cyber and Financial Crime Unit. “Unfortunately, there are criminals lurking online who are using increasingly sophisticated methods to take advantage of that goodwill and steal people’s money and personal information. We strongly encourage Manitobans to be educated about the dangers lurking online, so they can be vigilant in protecting themselves.”
Police say scams can range from simple phishing texts claiming a package is delayed to convincing ads on social media that lead shoppers to fake websites impersonating real retailers and travel companies. Fraudsters have also been known to create sham charities to exploit holiday generosity.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre urges shoppers to watch for spelling mistakes in messages and on websites, vague references to “the item,” overseas buyers wanting to purchase sight-unseen, and sellers using brand-new social media accounts. Manitobans should also be wary of “blowout” deals or drastically low prices — the product may be counterfeit, or never arrive at all.
RCMP recommend several steps to reduce the risk of being scammed:
• Know the market value of the product you’re searching for.
• Verify the seller’s contact information before purchasing.
• Check customer reviews and ratings from independent sources.
• Use payment methods that include fraud protection, such as credit cards.
• When possible, pay in person.
• Confirm emails are from legitimate senders before clicking links.
• Avoid clicking on ads that seem too good to be true — instead, use a trusted search engine to find the retailer.
Anyone who has been defrauded is encouraged to contact the RCMP or their local police service. Reporting helps investigators identify patterns, link cases and prevent further fraud.
Incidents should also be reported to the National Cybercrime and Fraud Reporting System, which compiles reports from across Canada. Reports can be submitted online at the federal reporting portal.
