With 2022 in the rearview mirror, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) published its Scam Tracker Risk Report which details the top 10 riskiest scams in Canada in 2022.

“Home improvement scams rose from the fourth riskiest scam type reported by Canadians in 2021 to number one in 2022,” said Mary O’Sullivan-Andersen, President and CEO of BBB Serving Southern Alberta and East Kootenay. “This scam type is often perpetrated by door-to-door solicitors who offer quick, low-cost repairs. They take payment and never return to do the work. In some variations, they do shoddy work, don’t finish the job, or dramatically increase the price after the original agreement. Our report includes tips on how to avoid this scam type, as well as many other scams.”

Cryptocurrency scams, the number one riskiest in 2021, fell to the number two riskiest scam type in 2022. Advance fee loan scams dropped from the number two riskiest in 2021 to the third riskiest in 2022.

"Cryptocurrency dropped a little bit. That was the number one scam last year. I think it's a good news story in a lot of ways because there's just been a lot more awareness about cryptocurrency and crypto assets and that these are high-risk investments," explained Wes Lafortune the media and communication specialist with the BBB

These are the top 10 scams of 2022 according to the BBB:

  1. Home Improvement
  2. Cryptocurrency assets
  3. Advance fee loans
  4. Investment
  5. Employment
  6. Online purchases
  7. Rental
  8. Credit card
  9. Travel/vacation/timeshare
  10.  Phishing

 O’Sullivan-Andersen also added “Home improvements cover a wide range of business types. Before you hire any contractor, do your research, check if the business is accredited by the BBB, ask for references, and always check the details of a written contract. Do not hire someone who shows up at your door offering a deal that is very likely too good to be true.”

47.5 per cent of those who were scammed claimed to have lost confidence or peace of mind.

Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.com