(St. John’s, NL) March 3, 2026 – March is Fraud Prevention Month, and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) is reminding residents to spot the signs, protect themselves, and report suspicious activities.

Criminals are becoming more sophisticated and convincing, targeting people of all ages, genders and backgrounds. The most common frauds include impersonation, romance, investment, and grandparent scams – all which create a sense of urgency to pressure victims to act quickly.

The best way to prevent fraud from happening is to know how to protect yourself:

• Always verify the identity of the organization or individual you are dealing with before sharing personal information or making transactions.
• Do not assume that people or organizations are who they claim to be. If you are suspicious, hang up and call the organization or individual directly.
• Do not trust a phone number because it is local or familiar. Technology allows fraudsters to disguise their actual contact information.
• Keep your personal information protected, create strong passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, and only log into your account from trusted sources.
• If you receive unsolicited mail, emails, or text messages that ask for any type of personal information, do not respond. Delete, and discard immediately.
• Do not be intimidated by high-pressure sales tactics. Say no, hang up and speak to a trusted friend or family member.

Anyone who suspects they have fallen victim to fraud is urged to stop communication immediately and save all correspondence. Report to the RNC by calling 709-729-8000 or use the online reporting system.

Fraudulent activity can also be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

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Cst. Stephanie Myers, #874
Public Communications Officer
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
media@rnc.gov.nl.ca