Key Takeaways from the 8th annual Canada Travel Fraud Prevention Group Meeting

On Wednesday October 16, the 8th Canada Travel Fraud Prevention Group meeting was held in Toronto.

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It began with a warm welcome extended by Attila Uklu, Aviation Industry Analyst IATA and Heather Craig-Peddie, Vice President, Advocacy and Member Relations to over 50 participants representing Travel Agencies, Tour Operators, Airlines, Associations, Credit Card Companies, Technology Providers, Law Enforcement (RCMP), Government Agencies (Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre) and Educational Institutions. Five key takeaways from the various presentations include:

  • The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has a new, easy to use Online Fraud Reporting System (FRS).

  • October is also Cyber Security Awareness Month and the CAFC is hosting a number of Fraud Chats throughout the month. More here 

  • If an agency wishes to accept e-transfers, auto-deposit is recommended. Otherwise, there is NO protection for e-transfers and certain other types of payments such as bitcoins. You simply need to register the settings of this account.

  • Insurance fraud is growing both at home and abroad. Abroad the countries that ranked high for insurance fraud are: Africa (specifically Ghana and Ethiopia), U.S., Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. An example of insurance fraud abroad is someone filing a claim for a visit to a hospital for stomach problem and the insurance company discovers that it was for a gastric bypass surgery, which is considered cosmetic and not eligible. Research found that 97% of Canadians did not know that benefit fraud is a crime. It is simply not that a claim can be denied or premiums to be repaid. It is a criminal offence.

  • While there are a number of fraud prevention tools including those with the various credit card companies, members expressed concern that greater collaboration on what issuers consider “compelling evidence” when fraud is suspected and reported is required. This will be explored in future meetings. 

ACTA will upload the presentations to the Fraud Prevention section in the Members Only area as soon as available.

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Pictured above L to R: Attila Uklu, Aviation Industry Analyst IATA, Maggie Santos, Director of Education and Certification and Heather Craig-Peddie, Vice President, Advocacy and Member Relations

Special thanks to our sponsors: Accel PCI, Delta, Manulife, Perseuss, and Sunwing.