It's Fraud Prevention Month here in Alberta and the High River RCMP are front and centre.

Constable Jill Mills says they see quite a number of fraud cases come through their doors.

"On a weekly basis probably we see people coming in and complaining, or even just simply asking us questions about something they've come across or they've been contacted by somebody, whether they should be concerned about it."

Mills admits it's pretty tough for them to give victims a positive resolution simply because most of the frauds they see originate far from High River.

"They're difficult investigations. Because quite often they're offshore, or not originating here in High River, which can make it a lot more difficult for us."

She says education and awareness are key.

"We believe very strongly that knowledge, awareness and prevention are the absolute best methods for protection for our citizens in High River. The more you know about a scam, the less likely you are likely to fall victim to it."

She says instead they like to focus on education, but she's quick to add if you're a victim, or see or hear something suspicious they very much want to hear your story.

In a release the RCMP say:

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, the most common scams in Canada last year affected 11,490 victims. These included:

·       Romance scams: Fraudsters steal photos and use dating sites and social media to lure potential victims into sending money for various reasons.

·       Wire Fraud scams: Financial industry wire fraud occurs when Canadian financial institutions and investment brokers receive fraudulent email requests from who they believe to be an existing client.

·       Investments scams: An investment scam is any solicitation (telephone, mail, email, etc.) for investments into false, deceptive or misleading investment opportunities, often referring to higher than normal or true monetary returns which consumers lose most or all of their money.

·       Merchandise scams: Involves deceptive websites selling counterfeit goods from existing retailers at discounted prices. They use the concept of a limited, one-time-only sale to attract online buyers.

·       Job scams: Fraudulent solicitation offering employment and requesting an advance fee to secure the job.

·       Service scams: Fraudulent promotion or solicitation for services.

·       Extortion scams: Any person who unlawfully obtains money, property or services from a person, entity, or institution, through coercion.

·       Prize scams: Any fraudulent solicitation advising victims they have won – or have a chance to win – a prize.

·       Inheritance scams: Consumers receive a solicitation offering or requesting assistance to transfer a large sum of money from a foreign country.

·       Sale of Merchandise scams: Involves the non-delivery of goods purchased online.

        The following tips will help protect you from fraud.

·       Don't be fooled by the promise of a valuable prize in return for a low-cost purchase;

·       Be extra cautious about calls, e-mails or mailings offering international bonds or lottery

        tickets, a portion of a foreign dignitary's bank account, free vacations, credit repair or schemes with unlimited income potential;

·       Don't be afraid to hang up the phone, delete the email or close your Internet connection;

·       Don't purchase a product or service without carefully checking out the product, service.

Every year, thousands of Albertans fall victim to fraud. Most people don’t think it could happen to them, but fraudsters use increasingly sophisticated ways to target people of all ages. In 2016, there were a total of 8,317 cases of fraud reported in Alberta RCMP jurisdictions from January to October.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, report it to your local police agency and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre 1-888-495-8501 or report online at http://www.antifraudcentre.ca.