March is Fraud Prevention Month, and each year the Better Business Bureau serving Mainland BC (BBB) and partner organizations announce the top 10 scams of the year. Read on to learn which frauds topped the charts this year, and where to get more information about protecting yourself from scammers.

For the last 22 years, the BBB has counted down the top scams of the year. Digital scams are largely the focus of this year’s scams, as technology is making it increasingly easier for fraudsters to take advantage of unsuspecting victims.

Without further ado, here’s the list. For more information about these scams, and tips on how to protect yourself, visit the BBB’s website, here.

  1. Top Auto Scam – automotive online pricing
  2. Top Emotional Scam – disaster charity fraud
  3. Top Identity Theft – remote computer repair
  4. Top Social Media Scam – fake Facebook friend request
  5. Top Romance Scam – catphishing/online dating scam
  6. Top Utilities Scam – fake billing
  7. Top Finance Scam – online affinity fraud
  8. Top Sales Scam – redirected robocalls
  9. Top Big Data Scam – big box breach
  10. Top Ad Scam – fake online reviews

March is Fraud Prevention Month. While scams and fraud fall outside of the laws that Consumer Protection BC is responsible for, we are sharing the information in this blog post to raise consumer awareness in support of this national initiative. For more information about Fraud Prevention Month, please visit the Competition Bureau’s website. If you’ve been a victim of a scam or fraud, contact your local police and make a report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

ADDITIONAL READING:

The top 5 red flags of romance scams
Watch out for charity scams
Don’t be a victim of an online fundraising scam
Hang up on unwanted scam calls