Are Private Investigators Legal in Canada? You’re likely familiar with Hollywood portrayals of Private Investigators that would lead you to wonder if they’re even legal in Canada. It’s a fair question given how unrealistic tv and films make PIs look (think James Bond, Nancy Drew, and just about any tv-star-PI posing as a murder detective). …
Category: Fraud
Whether on a private individual basis or as a company, being met with the risk of fraud is not at all fun. Whether finances are stolen, identities are compromised, or banking information is snatched, you deserve peace of mind and all the evidence possible. Hiring a private investigator – one that is certified and fully complies with federal and provincial laws as well as privacy acts – is a perfectly legal option. Doing so may result in collecting evidence – again, legally – that can be used to build a case against the responsible party.
At The Smith Investigation Agency, we perform thorough fraud investigations by way of a variety of services. From monitoring and surveillance to deep dives in records not available to the general public, we may be able to help you get to the bottom of things and make informed decisions. In addition, with compelling evidence demonstrating said fraudulent activity, legal proceedings may be able to potentially end in your favour.
Private investigation agencies like ours normally establish deep, meaningful relationships with organizations like the WSIB, and we work closely with them to help better protect clients through our services. For more on the fundamentals of fraud investigations, read our blogs on the subject or contact us for assistance.
Expert Tips: How to Avoid Internet Scams in 2022
Every day, thousands of scam websites are created to lure people in and steal their information. In addition, scammers use popups and emails, which usually demand immediate action from the recipient. Some internet scams have become so sophisticated that it can be hard to discern the real from the fake. As a general rule, it’s …
5 Signs of Identity Theft (Updated 2023)
With much information being shared online, it’s easy for someone to hack into accounts and snag enough sensitive data to steal your identity. Statistics specific to identity theft in Canada as of 2022 has been reported by The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre as being 68,000 fraud reports, 43,476 victims and over $360 million in fraud. To …
What is Smishing?
If you’ve started to receive random text messages on your phone from unknown senders, it’s important to avoid opening these. In this article, we’ll tell you why and explain what you can do to protect yourself from falling victim to a smishing campaign. Smishing is where a hacker sends a text message pretending to be …
5 Security Precautions You Should Always Take
With less face to face interactions occurring these days, fraud and identity theft is easier than ever to commit. To avoid falling victim to identity theft and online scams, you need to take certain safety precautions to protect your personal information. Create Complex Passwords The more complex your passwords are, the more secure your online …
Am I Being Catfished?
Do you have a feeling you’re being catfished? In most cases, when people are concealing their true identity online, it’s because they’re running scams and don’t want to get caught. How can you tell if the person you’re talking with online is the real deal? If you sense there’s something fishy going on, here are …
How to Identify a Business Email Compromise Scam
Cyberattacks and phishing schemes like Business Email Compromise (BEC) are becoming more common than ever. These happen when a cybercriminal attempts to impersonate an executive or someone within a company to get access to data and money. Though these may sound simple enough to avoid and recognize, BEC is increasing and becoming more sophisticated and …
Am I a Victim of Employee Fraud?
Did you know that employee fraud and embezzlement costs Canadian companies hundreds of millions of dollars every year? Some businesses are even forced to close because of it. If you don’t want your business to become jeopardized because of a deceptive employee, there are a number of red flags to look out for. Follow these …
Watch Out!: A PI’s Rundown of Scams in 2020
Over the past decade, it seems like scams have only increased in volume. The reason for this is likely caused by the increase in cellphone usage and online computer activity. Scammers have adapted to new technologies in creative ways. Scammers also know how to scare people into making the wrong decisions. So, what does this …
Canadian Revenue Agency SCAM
The first day of fall is amazing with crisp cool air, and blue skies. After a busy day, I come home to relax and see an episode from CBC Marketplace episode named “Scam Centres”. I begin to watch and this is an all too familiar storyline discussing the CRA scam that has been going around …
