Top 5 email scams

Email scams represent one of the most prevalent attack methods for fraud and other cybercrimes. From fraudulent phishing scams soliciting personal and financial information to extortion demands requesting bitcoin payments, emails are being used to send a variety of false, deceptive, misleading and fraudulent messages. During Cyber Security Awareness Month's Network Week, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) would like to remind you to be vigilant when reading your email.

Note: It is estimated that less than 5% of fraud victims report their occurrences to the CAFC.

Top tips to protect yourself

• Remain current on frauds targeting business and educate all employees
  • Include fraud training as part of new employee onboarding
• Have detailed payment procedures
  • Encourage a verification process for unusual email requests
• Avoid opening unsolicited emails or clicking on suspicious links or attachments
• Take a few seconds to hover over an email address or link and confirm that they are correct
• Back up your system/data regularly and keep the backups on a separate removable hard drive
  • Don't forget to disconnect, when done
  • If possible, check the backup(s) from a separate computer that uses a different operating system
• Take the time to research an employer and confirm that they are hiring
• Learn more tips and tricks for protecting yourself
• Remain current on frauds and protect others by sharing what you know
  • Tell two others and ask them to do the same
  • An unbroken chain of 25 people telling two would cover the entire population of Canada

Date modified:

2020-10-21