Be Scam Safe!
Scammers are constantly finding new ways to target people, making it more important than ever to stay informed. The Be Scam Safe resource library was created by the Northwest Territories Seniors’ Society to help seniors, families, caregivers, and community members recognize common scams and respond with confidence.
Explore the topics below to learn about specific types of scams, warning signs to watch for, and practical ways to protect yourself. Each section includes a free downloadable guide that you can save, print, and share with others. You can also download the complete Be Scam Safe booklet and a printable scam prevention checklist for quick, everyday reference.
What is Scamming?
Learn what scams are, why scammers target people, and the tactics they use to gain your trust. Understanding how scams work is the first step toward protecting yourself.
Phishing & Smishing
Discover how fraudulent emails, text messages, and social media messages are designed to steal your personal information. Learn the warning signs and how to safely verify suspicious communications before responding.
Emergency Help Scam
Scammers often pretend to be a family member or friend in urgent need of help. Learn how these emotional scams work, the red flags to watch for, and simple steps to confirm the truth before sending money.
Online Shopping - Buying & Selling
Whether you’re shopping online or selling through sites like Facebook Marketplace, learn how to spot fake listings, fraudulent buyers, and counterfeit websites before they cost you money.
Catfishing
Online relationships can be rewarding—but they can also be used to manipulate and deceive. Learn how romance scams develop, common warning signs, and how to protect both your heart and your finances.
Fake Charity & Prizes/Lottery
Don’t let generosity or excitement make you a target. Learn how scammers impersonate charities and create fake prize offers, along with practical ways to verify requests before giving money or personal information.
Tech Support
Fake pop-ups, warning messages, and unsolicited phone calls can all be part of a tech support scam. Learn how to recognize these schemes and protect your devices, passwords, and financial information.
Investment
Promises of guaranteed returns and “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunities are often warning signs of fraud. Learn how investment scams work and the steps you can take to verify opportunities before investing.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence is making scams more convincing than ever. Learn how scammers use voice cloning, deepfakes, fake profiles, chatbots, and other AI tools—and what you can do to stay one step ahead.
Scam Prevention Checklist
Stay one step ahead of scammers with this easy-to-use checklist. It highlights simple habits that can help protect your personal information, devices, and finances—from creating stronger passwords to recognizing suspicious emails, phone calls, and online scams.
Download and print your free copy to keep beside your computer, on your fridge, or anywhere you’ll see it as a helpful reminder.
Be Scam Safe Booklet
Knowledge is one of the best ways to protect yourself from scams. The Be Scam Safe booklet was created to help seniors recognize common scams, understand how they work, and feel confident responding when something doesn’t seem right.
Download your free copy below and keep it nearby as a trusted resource for you and your family.