The Nova Scotia RCMP wants to remind citizens that March is Fraud Prevention Month.

Fraud-related offences are now thought to be as profitable as drug-related offences, estimated at between $10 and $30 billion annually in Canada by the RCMP’s Commercial Crime Branch. The majority of these crimes aren’t committed by kids at their computers, 80 per cent or more of the work is conducted by criminal organizations.

Fraud should concern all Canadians because it de-stabilizes our national economy while strengthening organized crime groups. The impact on individuals, families and businesses is devastating: retirement savings, homes, businesses – and in some cases, lives – have all been lost. The only good news is that the majority of frauds can be prevented by identifying the methods used by fraudsters.

“The more you know about a fraud, the less likely you are to fall for it,” says Cst. Dal Hutchinson, Nova Scotia RCMP. “Over the next four weeks, the RCMP will be taking every opportunity to educate and inform citizens of ways to avoid fraudulent activity. In some cases, it is as simple as asking a few questions.”

To help reduce your chances of being victimized by fraud, check the RCMP in Nova Scotia’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/rcmpns) or RCMPNS twitter account daily during the month of March for tips aimed at keeping you safe from scammers. Topics covered will include social media, credit card and debit card fraud, common scams and counterfeit goods.

For more information, please visit the websites of these organizations taking part in Fraud Prevention Month:

RCMP
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
http://www.phonebusters.com

Competition Bureau of Canada
http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca

Fraud Prevention Forum
http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca

Source: http://www.bedfordbeacon.com/march-is-fraud-prevention-month