The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre estimates that between $10 and $30 billion dollars are lost each year to frauds in Canada, a figure comparable to drug trafficking revenues. Shockingly, only 5% of people who’ve been victimized ever report it – most don’t think it will help.

Originally known as PhoneBusters, the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre is Canada’s one-stop-shop for fraud reporting. To serve you better, the organization has just launched its new website at www.antifraudcentre.ca.

What exactly does the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre do? Each year, they receive tens of thousands of calls and e-mail messages from consumers all across Canada and the USA. Anti-fraud specialists work to help callers protect themselves from being victimized by identity crimes and other fraud schemes.

The Centre’s intelligence team analyze the collected fraud information and prepare reports, which are then shared with law enforcement agencies across the country. This information allows investigators in one province to see how frauds they’re working on are connected to frauds taking place in other parts of the country – or in other parts of the world. This enables police officers to crack complex cases and ultimately make arrests.

Keep in mind, the Centre is not an investigative agency – if you’re a fraud victim, you must contact your local police force if you want the crime investigated. If you are reporting investment fraud, contact your securities regulator. However, if you want to help shut down the organized crime groups responsible for the most lucrative, large-scale frauds, be sure to contact the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre as well. The more people who report, the greater the chance of shutting down the criminals responsible for scams.

For the latest on emerging fraud trends, advice on protecting yourself , and victim’s guides that will help you recover from fraud loss, visit the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre’s new website at: www.antifraudcentre.ca