St. Thomas, ON – Tuesday March 10th 2026
March is Fraud Prevention Month, and the St. Thomas Police Service is reminding residents to stay vigilant against scams and fraudulent activity that continue to target individuals and businesses across our community.
Fraud Prevention Month is a national campaign led by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police to help Canadians recognize, reject, and report fraud.
This year’s theme, “Fraud — the hidden crime,” highlights the significant financial and emotional impact fraud can have on victims. Canadians reported more than $704 million in fraud losses in 2025, but experts believe the true number is much higher, as only an estimated 5 to 10 percent of incidents are actually reported.
Fraud takes many forms, including investment scams, romance scams, identity theft, online fraud, and phone scams. As technology continues to evolve, criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their tactics, often using urgency, pressure, or offers that seem too good to be true to gain trust and access to personal information.
The St. Thomas Police Service encourages residents to remember the three R’s of fraud prevention:
• Recognize the red flags; pressure to act quickly, requests for cryptocurrency or gift cards, and unsolicited messages.
• Reject suspicious calls, messages, or offers. If something doesn’t feel right, hang up or delete the message.
• Report fraud, even if no money was lost.
Anyone who believes they may have been the victim of fraud is encouraged to report it to the St. Thomas Police Service at 519-631-1224 and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online at antifraudcentre.ca
Staying informed and taking a moment to verify information before acting can help prevent fraud and protect our community.