The Nunavut RCMP want to warn the public about a trend in fraudulent activity that has been detected in the Territory. Police encourage all businesses and individuals to exercise increased caution during business transactions that are not conducted in person.
Phishing scams is a type of email scam that has occurred in Nunavut and is a method that fraudsters have used to obtain financial information. The common method that fraudsters use to obtain this information are:
• Sending emails posting as legitimate business partners or subcontractors,
• Pressure or a sense of urgency to complete transactions,
• Change in billing financial info, which redirect funds from legitimate accounts to fraudster accounts.
How to avoid phishing attempts:
• Look for spelling errors in the content of the email messages,
• Don't trust messages just because the email address looks legitimate,
• If you aren't sure an email is authentic, contact known business partners to verify if they indeed sent you an email message.
What to do if you are a victim of phishing:
• If you have been targeted by a fraud attempt, but not victimized, it is still important to report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre either online at https://antifraudcentre-
centeantifraude.ca/ or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. The information you provide can be useful intelligence to link crimes together or progress a related investigation.
• Report the occurrence to your local police detachment.
• Advise your bank, credit bureau and other services providers that you have been victimized so they can take preventative action.