Fraud Insights Centre

Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2026
Spot it. Stop it. Secure it.

The Fraud Insights Centre brings together expert insights, tools, and resources to help you stay informed and protected.

Fraud Insights Centre

Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2026
Spot it. Stop it. Secure it.

This October, explore practical resources, expert insights, and interactive tools to help you recognize cybersecurity risks and strengthen your protection.

2026 Cybersecurity Resource Guide

Get the latest insights and practical resources to help you spot, stop, and respond to cyber fraud. Explore evolving threats, warning signs, and steps you can take to strengthen your protection in 2026.

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John Tracy

Senior Legal Counsel, Claims, FCT

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Cory Woods 

Chief Information Security Officer, FCT

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Matt Cunnington

CFE, CFCI, TRM-CFC Financial Crimes Unit, Fraud Project Team, Halton Regional Police Service

Cybersecurity and identity verification

The ultimate guide to fraud prevention for Canadians

Fraud in Canada has become increasingly digital, complex, and difficult to detect—affecting people across all walks of life. This guide explains how fraud works, the warning signs to watch for, and the practical steps Canadians can take to protect their personal information, finances, and property before fraud occurs. It also outlines how FCT supports fraud prevention at multiple stages of the real estate lifecycle, helping bring added awareness, safeguards, and informed decision-making to property transactions across Canada.

 

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Rethinking identity and trust in a changing real estate landscape: a conversation with Ryan Lambert

Ryan Lambert, Vice President of Data and Analytics, Enterprise Product, and Strategy

As real estate becomes more digital, the signals used to establish trust are changing. Watch Ryan Lambert discuss how identity, technology, data, and professional judgement can work together, or read the blog for a closer look at establishing trust early and using identity as an ongoing risk signal throughout a real estate transaction.

Read more on identity verification

Identity fraud is a cybersecurity issue
Identity fraud is a cybersecurity issue

Cybersecurity is about more than protecting systems and information. Learn why identity verification is an important part of a layered approach to cybersecurity and how consistent verification practices can help legal professionals recognize potential risks throughout a real estate transaction.

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Three fraud warning signs legal professionals should never ignore

Fraud concerns can begin with small inconsistencies. Explore three warning signs that may warrant a closer look during client identity verification and why recognizing them early can help legal professionals identify when further review may be appropriate.

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Identity fraud is changing. Are verification habits keeping up?

Identity fraud tactics are becoming more sophisticated. Learn why legal professionals may need to reassess their verification habits and how a consistent approach can help identify potential risks throughout a real estate transaction.

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Protecting yourself

The ultimate guide to fraud prevention for Canadians

Fraud in Canada has become increasingly digital, complex, and difficult to detect—affecting people across all walks of life. This guide explains how fraud works, the warning signs to watch for, and the practical steps Canadians can take to protect their personal information, finances, and property before fraud occurs. It also outlines how FCT supports fraud prevention at multiple stages of the real estate lifecycle, helping bring added awareness, safeguards, and informed decision-making to property transactions across Canada.

 

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The ultimate guide to fraud prevention for Canadians

Fraud in Canada is becoming more digital, complex, and harder to detect, affecting people across the country. This guide explains how fraud works, the warning signs to watch for, and how Canadians can help protect their information, finances, and property, while outlining how FCT supports fraud prevention throughout the real estate process.

Read article
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Fraud prevention doesn’t end in March: how to stay vigilant year-round

Real estate fraud is a year-round risk, even after increased awareness during Fraud Prevention Month. This article highlights simple habits—like verifying information, pausing on unexpected changes, and asking questions—that can help reduce risk and support more confident decisions throughout the real estate process.

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Protecting your clients

Legal Professionals

Lending Professionals

The ultimate guide to fraud prevention for Canadians

Fraud in Canada has become increasingly digital, complex, and difficult to detect—affecting people across all walks of life. This guide explains how fraud works, the warning signs to watch for, and the practical steps Canadians can take to protect their personal information, finances, and property before fraud occurs. It also outlines how FCT supports fraud prevention at multiple stages of the real estate lifecycle, helping bring added awareness, safeguards, and informed decision-making to property transactions across Canada.

 

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What one fraudulent transaction can cost a law firm

Fraud can affect more than the financial outcome of a transaction. Learn how identity-related concerns can create delays and additional work, and why early, consistent client verification can help legal professionals identify potential issues sooner.

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Why client ID verification belongs at the beginning of every file

Starting client verification early can give legal professionals more time to address potential issues before closing. Learn how making verification part of the file-opening process can support more consistent workflows and help reduce last-minute pressure.

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From file opening to closing: building a stronger verification process

Identity verification can support a real estate transaction beyond the initial client check. Learn how verifying early, maintaining consistent processes, and staying attentive to changes can help legal professionals strengthen verification throughout the file.

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Expert perspectives

When digital fraud reaches you: how to recognize it, respond to it, and report it


Digital fraud can take many forms, but knowing how to respond can make a difference. Detective Constable Matt Cunnington shares practical guidance on recognizing warning signs, securing your accounts, preserving evidence, reporting fraud, and protecting yourself from evolving digital threats.

 

Matt Cunnington,

CFE, CFCI, TRM-CFC Financial Crimes Unit,

Fraud Project Team

Halton Regional Police Service

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Fraud Insights Report: key data and emerging fraud trends

This report brings together validated statistics from external sources and interpretation from FCT’s internal experts to clarify how fraud is changing and what emerging trends mean in practice.

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Spotted, Stopped, and Secured:

John Tracy Walks Us Through Fraud Prevention in Action

John Tracy breaks down a real fraud case he identified and stopped before funds were released, highlighting the red flags that prompted action. See how careful review and experience helped prevent loss.

Practical checklists to strengthen your protection

Being prepared before fraud occurs can make a meaningful difference. These checklists support early awareness and informed decision-making, helping identify potential gaps before they can be exploited.

How secure is your legal practice?

A proactive checklist to assess exposure across key touchpoints and guide conversations about risk and prevention for your practice and with your clients.

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Protect yourself in everyday transactions

A simple self-check to recognize warning signs and reduce risk, useful on its own and as a practical reference in transactional discussions.

 

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On demand webinars
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Behind the Deal: Defending Against Real Estate Fraud

FCT hosts legal experts to share proven strategies for spotting and preventing real estate fraud during Fraud Prevention Month.

Watch Webinar
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Behind the Screen: Defending Against Online Fraud

Learn to spot phishing, typosquatting, and online fraud tactics—protect your clients and business in today’s digital landscape.

Watch Webinar
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Recognizing Red Flags in Legal Practice and Staying Ahead with Technology

Join experts to explore fraud tactics and learn how legal professionals can protect clients and businesses from evolving threats.

watch webinar

Revisit the Fraud Investigator game

Put your fraud investigation skills to the test with this returning challenge. Review the clues, identify the red flags, and see if you can uncover the fraud.

FAQ

Title fraud is when someone impersonates the legitimate owner of a property and takes out a mortgage on it, or sells it to an innocent buyer. Title fraud can result in a total loss for the lender on a transaction, while property owners face a stressful and expensive process to have their clear title restored.

Some warning signs include: a suspiciously low sale price, pressure to close the deal quickly without asking questions, instructions to pay out the mortgage to an unrelated third party, and incomplete or inconsistent documentation.

Always use an ID verification tool when onboarding clients. Check the closing documents against each other for inconsistencies in signatures, or personal information. Close every transaction with title insurance in place so that if there is fraud, you and your client are protected.

Report any suspicions to law enforcement, the other professionals involved in the deal, and relevant authorities promptly for investigation. If you’re unsure about a deal, you can reach out to FCT’s underwriting team.

The main role of title insurance in the case of fraud is providing coverage and legal assistance to owners and lenders, but it can also help in prevention by adding underwriting scrutiny to transactions. Always make sure to digitally verify client ID in addition to title insuring the transaction.