FRAUD WATCH

See the latest scams below (updated October 23, 2024)

Here’s How to Protect Yourself (updated April 25, 2025)

Check out these helpful resources (updated February 13, 2025)

Welcome to our Fraud Watch page. Here you will find information on fraud and scams, and how to spot them. We provide links to official websites that show the numerous ways online thieves are trying to steal your money and/or identity, and websites that can help you prevent fraud or coach you if you become a victim.

No matter how careful we think we are, scammers try to get the upper hand. They prey on our fears and anxieties with scare tactics that can hinder our better judgment. They try to trick us with email attachments that install malware on our computer, or send us links to fake web pages that steal our usernames and passwords.

Be wary of emails, SMS texts, letters, and phone calls from individuals and companies you don’t know, or messages that are unexpected. Be especially careful with “important” messages using scare tactics. And, don’t believe any offers for making a quick buck; if it seems too good to be true, it usually is!

Have you encountered a scam recently? Send an image or forward the email to FraudAlert@opcug.ca. If we haven’t already posted something similar, we’ll feature it on this page. In order to protect your privacy, we will remove your identifiers.

RESOURCES

Learn how to protect yourself online:
Scams and fraud (Government of Canada)
National Cybersecurity Alliance
Canadian Centre for Cyber Security
Get Cyber Safe
Stay Safe Online
Pig Butchering This scam costs victims billions of dollars annually
CIRA Canadian Shield (free DNS resolver and malware/scam protection)
Consumer Reports Security Planner (step-by-step instructions for all your devices)

Naked Security by Sophos:
Phishing tricks that really work – and how to avoid them

Better Business Bureau (BBB) Check a company’s rating before hiring

Websites that list newer and older scams in circulation:
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (COVID-19 fraud)
CIRA Cybersecurity News (vast list of security risks)
Competition Bureau Canada
10 most costly scams for Canadians in 2018 (with advice from the BBB)

What to do if you become a victim of fraud:
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Report a scam or fraud Government of Ontario (includes a good list of scam types)

HOW SAFE ARE YOUR PASSWORDS?

If you allow Google Chrome to save your passwords, you can check them at https://passwords.google.com/ and see if any are compromised, reused, or weak.
See 9 Rules for creating and safeguarding strong passwords (CNET)

Password Managers:
Best for 2024 (commercial apps, PC Magazine))
Best for 2024 (free apps, PC Magazine)
9 Best (free and commercial apps, Wired Magazine)

If any of your passwords are on this list, you should change them: Top100kUsedPasswords (text file, use Ctrl+F to search the list)

Check if your passwords have been pawned:
https://haveibeenpwned.com/Passwords

Check if your email account has been pawned:
https://haveibeenpwned.com/

SECURE YOUR ROUTER, COMPUTER, and OTHER DEVICES

The Gibson Research Corporation (GRC) This venerable institution has been around for decades. Check if your computer ports are open to attack with their free service: ShieldsUP!!
CIRA Canadian Shield (free DNS resolver and malware/scam protection for all your devices)
Consumer Reports Security Planner (step-by-step instructions for all your devices)