Fraud Prevention Month: Internet and digital marketplaces

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on March 17, 2026.

During the third week of Fraud Prevention Month in Canada the Medicine Hat Police Service has issued a public service announcement regarding scams occurring in online marketplaces and through internet-based communication.

Specifically, local police are reminding residents to be vigilant when shopping within online marketplaces, as well as being wary of lottery, prize and technical support scams.

Police remind online shoppers about common frauds often found in online marketplaces that involve scammers listing items that do not exist or are misrepresented, and will request partial or full payment in advance.

Typically when the buyer arrives at the agreed location, the seller does not appear and the advertisement is often removed.

Police are also encountering a growing number of residents reporting lottery and prize scams that continue to target victims through emails, texts, or messages claiming the recipient has won a cash prize or valuable item.

“Scammers may ask for banking or credit card information to ‘deposit’ winnings or request payments, for example, by wire transfer, e-transfer, gift cards or cryptocurrency, to ‘secure” the prize,” reads the PSA. “Once money or personal information is provided, funds may be withdrawn and no prize is delivered.”

Another trending scam includes a fraudster gaining access to a victim’s personal computer by someone posing as a computer or tech professional who claims urgent issues with the victim’s device or online accounts.

These fraudsters will use a program which gives them remote access to a victim’s computer if accepted, and they can then attempt to capture password and banking information, which can then be used to steal funds.

All these scams typically include the fraudster posing as a legitimate business, a request for payment by gift cards, cryptocurrency or unsolicited money transfers and often occur outside the country, making it difficult for authorities to recover funds.

Residents should ignore all unsolicited emails, texts, calls or social media messages, especially from people or businesses you do not recognize.

When buying and selling online, officers suggest avoiding advance payment when possible and use secure, traceable payment methods.

Residents should independently verify a company or offer before paying and seek information provided by the Better Business Bureau and recommendations from trusted friends or family.

“Anyone who believes they may be involved in a scam is encouraged to speak with someone they trust and report it to local police,” reads the PSA. “The public is reminded, you cannot win a prize you did not enter and if something seems too good to be true, it likely is.”

According to police Hatters were scammed more than $4 million through online and phone scams in 2025.