Various organizations are reminding Canadians to beware of fraud and charities.  Capital One and CanadaHelps have a quiz “to educate Canadians on how to identify false charities so their generous donations don’t end up in fraudsters’ hands.”  CRA advises “Fraud Prevention Month also offers an opportunity for the Agency to remind Canadians that some individuals are selling tax scams that have serious legal consequences. Canadians are urged to remember the old adage: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Here is information on the CanadaHelps quiz;
http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityFraud/LandingPage.aspx

Here is a link to the Competition Bureau’s website on fraud prevention:
http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/h_00122.html

Here is a linik to the RCMPs Fraud Awareness notices:
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/sk/fraud-fraude/index-eng.htm

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre:

http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/english/home-eng.html

Here is a press release from the CRA:

March is Fraud Prevention Month—the Canada Revenue Agency reminds Canadians to protect themselves against fraud Ottawa, Ontario, March 5, 2012… March is Fraud Prevention Month across Canada and around the world, and the Canada Revenue Agency is reminding Canadians to protect themselves against fraud.

Fraud comes in many different forms. Informing yourself and learning about the fraudulent schemes out there is your best protection against fraud. Remember that the Canada Revenue Agency does not use email to send you information about your refunds or benefit payments, doesn’t ask you to send personal information by email, and does not leave a message with personal information on your voice mail. If you receive an email or a phone call of that nature, don’t respond to it and call the CRA right away.

If you think you have been a victim of fraud, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) urges you to notify your financial institution and the local police.

Fraud Prevention Month also offers an opportunity for the Agency to remind Canadians that some individuals are selling tax scams that have serious legal consequences. Canadians are urged to remember the old adage: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

While Canadians do their part to protect themselves against fraud, the CRA continues to provide the highest level of security to protect taxpayer information and to build on our proud tradition of employee integrity and professionalism.

For more information on how to protect yourself against fraud, please visit our Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/fraudprevention.

FRAUD: Recognize It. Report It. Stop It.