Every day, people across New Brunswick and Canada are targeted by scams. These schemes can show up anywhere—through a phone call, an email, or even an ad on your favorite social media app. Scammers are always looking for new ways to steal money or personal information, and anyone can be targeted.
Scams often start with a message, call, or ad that seems normal or even helpful. Behind that first contact is someone trying to gain your trust.
Scammers often reach out when you least expect it. You might get:
A call from an unknown number
A text that looks like it was sent by mistake
An email that appears official
A random message on social media
They may pretend to be a friend, a government worker, or a well-known company. With today’s technology, scammers can fake voices, photos, and even videos. Some use celebrity images or deepfake videos to make their offer look real.
Scammers also use social media ads. These ads might promote products or services that don’t work, don’t exist, or never get delivered. Some ads even use fake celebrity endorsements or deepfake videos to seem trustworthy.
Not all scams come from strangers. Some start in places where you already spend time online, like group chats, dating apps, or forums focused on investing, crypto, or other interests. Scammers join these spaces and act like regular members.
Sometimes, the message comes from someone you know, but their account has been hacked. Because it feels familiar, it’s easier to trust, and that’s what scammers want.
Once scammers gain your trust, they move in on their real goal, taking your money. This can happen in different ways, but the steps are often very similar.
After talking with you for a while, the scammer will ask you to send money. It might sound urgent—an investment, a limited-time deal, or an emergency. They often push for payment methods that are hard to trace, like cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or gift cards.
Sometimes, scammers don’t ask for money right away. Instead, they try to get your personal or financial information, like your bank account number, credit card details, or social insurance number. They might ask you to fill out a form, click a link, or download an app.
Scammers create fake websites, apps, or send fake screenshots or documents to make you believe your “investment” is growing. Some even let you withdraw a small amount at first to build trust. The numbers aren’t real, and the money isn’t actually there.
When you try to withdraw, they will come up with excuses or demand extra fees or taxes first. They’ll keep asking for more money, and each time you pay, you lose more. Eventually, they stop replying. The website disappears and so does your money.
Some scammers return pretending to help recover your funds. They might say they’re from a law office or a government agency and offer to get your money back – for a fee. If someone contacts you offering help for a price, it’s a red flag.
Scammers are skilled at what they do. They spend several months and years studying how to gain trust and steal a person’s money. As technology advances, their methods get harder to spot and even the most careful people can get caught off guard.
Scammers know that people are more likely to believe someone they trust. That’s why they take time to build a relationship. They might act friendly, share advice, or pretend to be part of your community. Some scammers even join group chats or online forums to blend in.
In romance scams, they may spend weeks chatting with you before asking for money. In investment scams, they might show fake profits or testimonials to make their offer look safe.
Scammers often use fear, threats and the pressure of urgency to get you to act quickly. They might say the offer is only available for a short time, or that you’ll miss out if you don’t act now. Some use fear and threats of arrest and fines, while others use affection or guilt to influence decisions.
Scammers use fake websites, documents, and even apps to make their scams look professional. Some use AI to create fake videos or voices of celebrities or trusted figures. Others copy logos and branding from real companies or regulating bodies.
Never share money or personal information with someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
Take a pause before making decisions—don’t let anyone rush you. A good mantra to remember is “stop, relax, refocus.”
Watch for unrealistic promises or high-pressure tactics.
Check with a registered financial professional before investing.
Monitor your accounts and statements regularly.
Avoid installing screen-sharing software.
If something feels off, talk to someone you trust.
Knowledge is the best defence against scams. Watch for warning signs and always think twice before saying yes to offers that sound too good to be true. If you ever feel unsure, talk to someone you trust before making any decisions.