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Fraud Prevention

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Fraud Prevention

They're everywhere.  Scammers and fraudsters trying to steal your information, your money and your peace of mind.  The tactics used by these fraudsters are becoming more and more sophisticated every day, so how do you protect yourself?  Education is your best line of defense.  Let learning be your power to protect yourself from being a victim.  Stay vigilant to stay safe.

Fraud Facts

Fraud can have a significant impact on our economy, our businesses, our wallets and our peace of mind.  At some point in our lives, we will all be affected by fraud, whether it's receiving a suspicious email, or possibly being a victim.  When it comes to fighting fraud, we are all in this together.  Reporting fraud is just as important as recognizing the signs of a scam.

$578 million
lost to fraud in 2023

42,226 victims 
of fraud in 2023

Only 5% to 10% of
fraud was reported in 2023


Source: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Woman Typing On A Computer Protect Yourself From Fraud 555X360

Prevent Fraud From Happening To You


Learn how to protect your personal information and your online accounts.
Learn More
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How To Report Fraud

Have you been a victim of fraud?  Learn what to do and how to report the fraud.
Learn More
Woman On Her Computer Current Scams 555X360

Fraud Resources

Learn more about fraud including current scams.
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Prevent Fraud From Happening To You

You receive a suspicious email or phone call from a stranger.  What is the first thing you should do?  STOP before you proceed with any requests and THINK about whether this request is legitimate. Always QUESTION whether or not the person on the other end of the phone call or email is telling the truth or is seeking to cause you harm.  A few more tips....

Don't be afraid to say no

Scammers will use high pressure tactics that play on your emotions.  If you receive a phone call or an email that asks you to buy something or send money right away, ask them to verify in writing.  If the request does not seem legit, delete the email or hang up the phone.

Do your research 

Always verify that the organization or person you are dealing with is legitimate before you take any action.  Call the actual organization such as your financial institution, Canada Revenue Agency and/or your credit card company, and ask whether the request is legitimate.  Beware of fake or deceptive ads that may appear online.  Always verify that the company and its services are real before you make a purchase or provide information.

Don't give out personal information

Never provide personal information such as name, address, birthdate, Social Insurance Number, credit card or banking information if you receive an unsolicited phone call.  If you didn't initiate the call, you don't know who you are talking to.  Do not trust the information on your call display because it can be easily manipulated by fraudsters.

If you receive a suspicious message from someone claiming to be from your financial institution, contact them directly using trusted contact information.  Fusion, or any other financial institution, will never ask for personal information over the phone or through a text or email.

Don't be fooled!

Fraudsters will often provide the first 4 to 6 numbers of your debit or credit card which is also known as the Bank Identifier Number (BIN).  Most cards with specific financial institutions begin with the same numbers as an attempt to convince you that they are legitimate.

The government won't send you a refund via email or text message.  Always look up the agencies' official contact info and initiate the communication through, such as a phone number or login directly to your account to view official correspondence.

If you are contacted by someone claiming they can help you recover stolen funds, be cautious.  The Canadian Anti Fraud Centre, police and government agencies will never contact you and ask for a fee.

Beware of upfront fees

Many fraudsters will ask you to pay fees in advance of receiving goods, services, or a prize.  It's illegal for a company to ask you to pay a fee upfront before they will give you a loan.  In Canada, there are no fees or taxes for prize winnings.

Protect Your Computer

Install anti-virus software on your computer and keep your operating systems up to date.  Never click on any urgent messages that pop up while you're browsing online.  If you receive an email, be wary of clicking on links or attachments as the scammer may be trying to install a virus or malware on your computer.  Legitimate computer companies will never call you and claim that your computer is infected with a virus. 



How To Protect Your Online Accounts

Create Strong Passwords
  • Use a minimum of 8 characters, including upper and lower case letters, and at least one number and a symbol.
  • Create unique passwords for every online account including social networks, emails, financials and other accounts.
  • Use a combination of passphrases that are easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess.  A password keeper app on your phone is a great place to keep passwords if you can't remember them.

Enable Multifactor Authentication
To add an additional layer of security, enable multifactor authentication on all of your online accounts and never share your code with anyone.

Check the url and bookmark it
Before logging into you account, double check that the URL is the correct one.  Scammers will create fake sites to try and steal your info.  If the account is one you use often, bookmark the link and always use the bookmark to access the site.

Never click on links in texts or emails until you confirm that it's legit.
Fraudsters will use a variety of tactics to try and steal your passwords in order to gain access to your online accounts.  If you receive a text or email that you were not expecting, do not click on any links until you can confirm it's from a legitimate source.

Update Your Privacy Settings
Do a deep dive into your social media accounts and update your privacy settings.  It's best to set your personal accounts to private so fraudsters can't use your information to scam you or steal your identity.

How To Report Fraud

Fraud can happen to anyone at anytime.  If you think you have been a victim of fraud, remember you are not alone.  Reporting fraud or any suspicious activity to the proper authorities will help to stop fraudsters and prevent the fraud from happening to others.
If you have been a victim of fraud, your first step is to remain calm and gather all of the important information, including documents, receipts, copies of emails or text messages.  Then report the incident to the proper authorities listed below:

Your Financial Institution

If the fraud affected your online banking accounts, please call your financial institution immediately.  We'll work with you to ensure you accounts are properly protected and determine what steps are necessary to regain access to your online banking.

Fusion Credit Union Contacts:
Phone: 1-877-226-7957

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

The Canadian Anti Fraud Centre collects information on fraud and identity theft and is is a source of information regarding past and current scams affecting Canadians.  The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Competition Bureau and the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre work together to provide news, information and resources to Canadians regarding fraud.

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre Contacts:
Report fraud by phone: 1-888-495-8501

Local Police


Report the fraud to your local police authorities.  They will provide you with a police report number which may be required to recuperate your losses if any occurred.

In addition to the above agencies, depending on the fraud, you may need to contact the following:


Credit Bureaus
Equifax: 1-866-828-5961
TransUnion: 1-800-663-9980

Credit Card Provider


For more information on what to do if you have been a victim of fraud, visit the Competition Bureau and Canadian Anti Fraud Centre websites.

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