How to use tech to protect yourself and prevent scams: OPP

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Spot the Scam: Investment Fraud

Spot the Scam: Every day, people across Ottawa and Canada are falling victim to scams. This week, CTVNewsOttawa.ca will share their stories and advice on how to spot a scam.

As Ontario Provincial Police warn scams are on the rise, they also say there are many ways you can protect yourself.

Det.-Const. John Armit with the OPP’s Anti-Rackets Branch says only five to 10 per cent of frauds are reported each year.

“Last year, the anti fraudster unit reported $648 million in reported losses,” Armit told CTV News Ottawa. “And that was the highest reported losses we’ve ever seen in Canada.”

Statistics show that cyber-enabled frauds account for 75 per cent of the fraud losses.

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Doug and Victoria Lloyd say a video of what appeared to be Elon Musk encouraging a new investment opportunity turned out to be a devastating fraud for the couple.

“For me it’s, how could I let this happen to us? You know, how could I?” Doug said.

CTV News originally spoke with the couple in January of 2024, after they were scammed out of $177,000. Doug says he saw what turned out to be a deepfake technology video.

Doug says he put his information into a website and was scammed after a fake financial advisor pulled money from their line of credit over several months.

“I trusted that guy so much,” he said. “He was so friendly. And…it looked like we were making money all the time. We could go online and check it. And then it took so much time to finally realize its a scam."

Speaking to CTV News Ottawa, Doug says he wants to help prevent future victims.

“It’s so easy to trick people down with this AI and cryptocurrency and you can’t trace, you can’t get it back,” he said.

Fraud prevention tips

Armit says the best means to stop cyber crimes is prevention.

He explains the first line of defence is a strong password. Armit suggests thinking of a combination of unique phrases you can remember that are hard for others to guess.

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It should consist of letters and numbers and at least one symbol.

He says a trick to consider using to pick out a random selection of letters is to look at the keyboard.

“You can go down the keyboard and you can find a pattern that you like,” he said. “And then add a digit and a symbol. And by having a password like this, it’s virtually impossible to crack.”

Using biotech can also add an extra layer of protection, Armit suggests.

Setting up facial recognition on your phone can help.

“If anyone gets a hold of your phone, they’re unable to access that app, or maybe you have confidential information on your phone,” Armit said.

Two-factor authentication can be set up on certain apps, like Twitter in its “settings” under “security.”

Armit explains that when you sign into a website, the site will prompt you to put in a code, which is often sent through text to your phone, for you to enter as another line of defence.

“Only that person that receives that code now can put that code in, and allow you to proceed on that application,” he said. “So, it’s really important to have that in there…you have that access to prevent people from gaining that code to get into your applications.”

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When it comes to website links, emails and applications, he explains to always be cautious about what you are clicking on.

“They’re able to spoof an email address with one digit off or one letter off.”

He also says to put the website link into the search bar yourself whenever you can, and to not rely on search engines. If you’re calling your bank, use the number directly on the back of the card.

“If you go to Google and type in a search, the bad actors will pay for search engine optimization,” he explained. “So, they’ll put that on their webpage at the top of the search. And so, you’re clicking on that believing that is with the illegitimate organization.”

Finally, he says always stop and think, don’t ever give in to pressure, and if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

“When it comes to maybe a text message that has a malicious link, we always say, ‘Pause.’ Think about what’s happening, because it’s that sense of urgency and often it’s unsolicited messages that come to you. So really take your time and see what happens.”

Rebuilding after a scam

The Lloyds say they are working to rebuild their lives after losing $177,000.

Doug Lloyd says they had to sell a home to pay off the line of credit, and gave up original plans for a dream home, which cost tens of thousands of dollars.

“Relieved everything’s over,” he said. “There’s no more to do.”

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Today, they are building a new dream home with the help of a contractor friend, which is underway.

“It’s amazing,” Victoria Lloyd said. “You just feel excited every day.”

They say they are continuing to share their story in hopes of preventing future victims.

“It’s so easy to trick people down with this AI and cryptocurrency and you can’t trace, you can’t get it back,” said Doug Lloyd.

Armit says to always do your research about who you’re talking to - and to never hand over personal information and access to your accounts to a stranger online.

• FULL COVERAGE: Watch, read and listen to more stories and advice on how to spot a scam