News release

Protect your portfolio, outsmart the pretenders

March 19, 2026 - Edmonton, Alberta
From: Alberta RCMP

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Edmonton – This March, the Alberta RCMP will be sharing a variety of tips and resources in support of the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association’s (ACCPA) Fraud Prevention Month campaign. The campaign seeks to educate Albertans on the many ways that fraudulent activity negatively impacts their communities.

Today’s theme is investment scams, which may include any of the following:

• Investment fraud via social media
• Ponzi or pyramid schemes
• Cryptocurrency schemes
• Real estate scams 
• Offshore investing schemes

“Smart investing starts with skepticism. Any unsolicited advice – no matter how friendly, authoritative, or urgent it may sound – deserves a hard pause and a second look. When in doubt, protect your money by checking with trusted regulators like the Alberta Securities Commission. They exist to safeguard every investor, and their verified resources are always worth consulting before you act.”

• Cpl. Sean Milne, Provincial Financial Crime Team, RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region

To better protect yourself, consider the following resources:

• Check the Alberta Securities Commission’s Investment Caution List for any companies, individuals or websites that may pose a high risk to investors
• Empower yourself by learning the red flags commonly associated with investment scams
• Check the Alberta Securities Commission’s list of resources to help protect your investments

If you are unsure of whether or not you are being targeted by a scam, visit the Government of Canada’s website to learn about common scam types. If you have been the victim of fraud, report it to your local law enforcement agency and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre.ca, or by calling 1-888-495-8501. Be sure to contact your bank and credit card company if you believe your personal or financial information has been compromised.

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