Fraud Investigation

Home - Services - Fraud Investigation

What is it?

Fraud Investigation

There are various types of fraud which can include insurance fraud, workers compensation fraud, and even online scams. So, what is the difference between a scam and fraud? A scam is a game to swindle an individual or individuals out of their money for a quick profit. Fraud is an intentional deception which is generally unlawful in hopes to damage a person, industry, or for financial gain. For an effective fraud investigation, it’s crucial to work with a certified fraud investigator. Whether you need an investigator for insurance fraud or assistance with broader dispute services, our team provides comprehensive investigation services. For reliable fraud investigation in Canada, trust our expertise to guide you through the process and deliver the results you need.

Need a private investigator?

Fraud

Fraud in Canada is massive and costs millions per year in losses not only to businesses but to private individuals. A large portion of the fraud is to businesses and insurance companies. So many businesses deal with fraud on varying levels but one common type of fraud in business is employees claiming injuries that may be false. Our certified fraud investigators work with companies throughout Canada to monitor their employees to determine if fraud is taking place. For businesses and their leaders and decision-makers, understanding and knowing what types of fraud to look out for and how to prevent them from occurring in your business is critical to the success and bottom-line protection of the business. If you require surveillance services to determine if an employee or claimant is fraudulent, our team can assist.

Scam Investigation

Scams are on the rise in Canada, America and the world it is imperative to be educated on the current fraudulent scams but also how to deal with it if you have been a victim of a scam. Unfortunately, in most cases, the scammers are highly trained and discrete so locating them can be difficult and costly however there is hope as not all scammers can cover their tracks.

Types of Scams

Fraud Scam Investigation

One online scam, in particular, is the CRA scam. In 2018 “BBB spokesperson Shawna-Kay Thomas told Global News the scam bilked people out of $3 million back in 2015. In 2016, that figure had gone up to $4.3 million, and by 2017, it topped $5 million. Thomas said 2018 could be even worse, making the CRA scam one of the most costly cyber scams in Canadian history.” These are the types of scams that many Canadians fall prey to. However, with the growing knowledge of this scam, many scammers are creating new scams.

The Smith Investigation Agency is a nationally known award-winning agency, and our fraud detection and cyber investigations team can assist if you have been a victim of a scam personally or if your business is a victim of fraud. If you’re dealing with Fraud in Alberta, Nova Scotia or Ontario our fraud detection team and cyber investigations team can assist. Please contact an office closest to you or complete an inquiry form and our team will contact you with a plan of action and pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the First Thing I Should Do?

If you suspect that an employee or claimant is fraudulent, contact our team to assist in gathering the necessary information you need to prove it. In the event that you’ve already become the victim of a scam or fraudulent activity, gather all the records you have of the incident. Call the local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre right away to report it. Then give us a call so our team can help to identify the perpetrators and ensure justice is served.

What Types of Techniques Do You Use?

When performing fraud investigations, we will use a number of techniques to gather information and prove the allegations. This will include both surveillance and research-based techniques such as corporate and databank searches, background checks, personal observation and photography, audio and video surveillance, skip tracing and GPS, and collecting witness statements.

Can You Find Listening Devices?

Yes, if you believe that your phone, residence or vehicle has been bugged to obtain confidential information, we offer Technical Surveillance Countermeasure Services (TSCM) if required.

Can You Perform Undercover Operations?

Yes. Depending on the nature of the investigation, our team is fully prepared to perform undercover operations to collect evidence. When conducting such an operation, our team will follow all the rules of the law and any regulations under the Private Security and Investigations Services Act to collect information and observe individuals. This includes physical surveillance techniques and the use of audio and visual equipment. However, we are prohibited from entering private property without permission, impersonating an officer, making an arrest or wiretapping a phone without the proper warrants.

What are the Basic Steps of a Fraud Investigation?

Each fraud investigation is unique in nature but the steps to collect evidence and develop the case can often remain the same. The steps to solve fraudulent activity include evaluating the allegations, collecting evidence, analyzing the available data, testing the information against the facts, finding certain conclusions, proving the fraudulent activity beyond doubt, preparing the case, and completing the investigation.

Will I Receive a Report?

Yes, you will receive a full report outlining the evidence collected, the investigative process used and the results obtained.

Can the Evidence be Used in Court?

Yes, the evidence we find can be used in court if a private investigator is called upon to testify. The report can also be submitted as evidence in court. In most cases, our investigators will also be required to provide an Affidavit outlining the processes used to gather the information that is presented to the court.