Yukoners lost $803K to scams in 2024

In 2024, residents of Yukon lost over $800,000 to fraud, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. This amount is more than the total loss from the previous two years combined. In 2020, Yukoners lost only $12,456, showing a dramatic rise in scams. The most common scams included investment schemes and spear phishing. Investment scams trick victims into believing they will earn money back, often by giving them small returns at first. Spear phishing involves scammers pretending to be from legitimate businesses to gain victims' trust. Calista McLeod, an RCMP spokesperson, explained that some scams can look very convincing. Scammers may send emails that appear to be from the RCMP, urging people to click on links or pay fines. McLeod stressed that the police never ask for payment via gift cards or send links in emails. She urged people to hang up and call the business directly if they receive unexpected calls. Education about these scams is crucial for prevention. In a recent incident, a Whitehorse resident's mother fell victim to a scammer claiming to be from Telus. Believing the scammer's story, she gave her banking information, resulting in significant financial loss. Another resident, Janet Purrnell, received a similar call from a scammer. She recognized the warning signs and avoided being tricked this time. Janet highlighted how scammers take advantage of people's kindness and trust, especially in Yukon. The data from Yukon reflects broader trends reported across Canada. The issue of fraud continues to be a serious concern, with law enforcement agencies working to combat these crimes.