There was a time when spotting a scam was easy. Emails were poorly written, offers were ridiculous, or someone halfway across the world had miraculously decided that you were the perfect person to help them move several million dollars. Unfortunately, scams have become much more sophisticated.

They look like they came from your bank, the CRA, your own telecom, or even someone you know. Increasingly, AI is also being used to imitate the voice or appearance of a trusted friend. And scams are costing us serious money.

In 2025, Strathcona County residents reported losing $1.7 million to cryptocurrency frauds alone. Across Alberta, police reported 12,564 cybercrime incidents. Behind those numbers are real people in our community.

And it is important that we challenge the idea that only gullible people fall for scams. Fraudsters succeed because they are good at creating urgency, fear, or trust. They want you to act before you have time to think.

The best defence you have against these scams is simple. Slow down. If someone “from the CRA” says that police are coming unless you pay at once, hang up.

If your “bank” needs your PIN or verification code, don’t provide it. And if an investment “opportunity” promises spectacular returns but must be acted upon today, give yourself permission to miss the so-called opportunity. A legitimate organization will still be there after you take ten minutes to verify who you are dealing with.

The RCMP’s advice is also straightforward: don’t be pressured into sending money, don’t disclose financial information to an unsolicited caller, investigate investments and companies carefully, and don’t be afraid to simply hang up. There is another defence we sometimes overlook: talking to each other. Tell your kids, parents, and grandparents about scams you have heard about, from suspicious message to online offers.

Most importantly, if someone you know has been scammed, resist the temptation to ask, “How could you fall for that?” Embarrassment helps scammers. Conversations help the rest of us. So take a minute.

Ask a question. Talk to someone you trust. These simple steps might save you, or someone you care about, from becoming the next statistic.

Robert Parks is the Councillor for Ward One. You can safely reach him at 780-464-8005 or at Robert.parks@strathcona.ca. However, if he asks you to pay your taxes by gift card, it’s probably not really him.