Fraud Prevention Month 2023: Regulators join forces to protect the public

Every year in March, the Competition Bureau, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre co-chair Fraud Prevention Month, a nationwide campaign to inform the public of fraud aimed at consumers and businesses.

The co-chairs are joined by a group of more than 60 businesses, consumer advocacy groups, government departments, law enforcement agencies, and regulatory bodies that make up the Fraud Prevention Forum and collaborate in a massive marketing and activities campaign to inform and protect the public.

This year’s theme, “Tricks of the trade: what’s in a fraudster’s toolbox?” aims to inform the consumers and businesses about sophisticated trends in fraud that victimize the public. With the rise of technology transforming criminal activity, this year’s campaign is important in delivering the right information and strategies to those who remain at risk.

According to the Competition Bureau’s website, the Fraud Prevention Forum model has been implemented in 29 countries including the United States, Australia, and England, all of whom host their own Fraud Prevention Month activities.

Canadian regulators are well represented members of the Fraud Prevention Forum, and the following are involved in this year’s campaign:

• Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council

• Alberta Securities Commission

• Autorité des marchés financiers

• College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants

• Financial and Consumer Services Commission

• Manitoba Financial Services Agency

• Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council

• Ontario Securities Commission

• Organisme d’autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec (OACIQ)

• Technical Standards and Safety Authority

Members of the public are urged to follow the aforementioned and share their social media messages.

To become a member of the Fraud Prevention Forum, contact the Competition Bureau for more information.

MDR Strategy Group and The Registrar will promote regulators’ campaigns daily on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.