Insurance scams

Insurance scams can take many forms.

It may be a scam if you're asked to confirm or give personal information in an email that claims to be sent from your insurance company. This could be a scam to obtain information about your personal finances. It could lead to identity theft.

It may be a scam if you're asked to pay your premiums through a money transfer or money wiring service. This isn't a normal practice. It could be a scam to get you to buy fake insurance.

Tips to avoid scams

Follow these tips to avoid insurance scams:

• never pay a fee directly to insurance agents or brokers because licensed insurance agents and registered brokers receive fees from the insurance company
• make your payment to your insurance company and not to the agent or broker
• don’t pay your premiums through a money transfer or money wiring service
• don’t give out any personal information by email; instead call your insurance company, agent or broker

Report scams

If you think you may have been a victim of an insurance scam:

• contact your local police service to file a complaint
• report this information to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC)