Share the real stories this March

Behind many people’s vacation glam shots and perfectly plated food photos lie many stories that could actually help other people. Because of shame and guilt and a societal fear of vulnerability, such stories are often hidden away, pushed down out of sight.

However, this Fraud Prevention Month, Canadians are being encouraged to share their stories of loss and shame and vulnerability.

When we don’t talk about these things, about the shame of being victimized by scammers, then we let shame win and scammers thrive. They love an absence of knowledge, a void of information.

But when people share their stories of falling victim to scams, they help so many other people identify the exact warning signs they need to in order to avoid getting trapped in the same situation.

Sharing stories doesn’t have to be a social media post or a five-part TikTok series, it can also be word of mouth. Telling close friends and family what has happened will help arm them with the same information. You may also leave your story online at ScamTracker, where others looking to arm themselves against scams in their area can read your story and know what to watch for.

For us to share, we also need to be heard with compassion and without judgement. When you’re listening to others, it helps to create the welcoming atmosphere you’d like when talking about something vulnerable. Compassion and trust are key to our collective ability to combat scams. We need to understand that scams happen to everyone, across all demographics. As AI evolves, so do scams, and falling victim to them is nothing to be ashamed of.

Observation is just as important. If you see a loved one acting differently, suddenly strapped for cash or fearful, it may be a sign that they’re being somehow victimized. Speaking to them with kindness and patience can help you get to the root of the problem.

As much as we’d like to open the door for more people to share their stories of scams, we also need to recognize the importance of actively seeking out information. Staying up to date on the latest trends as scammers become more sophisticated is important. You can find the latest new on scam trends and scams in your area at ScamTracker or through the latest articles on bbb.org.

Share, listen and observe without judgement this Fraud Prevention Month and we might do a lot more than prevent costly cases of fraud. We might create a stronger and more unified community where all of us can thrive.