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Due diligence and tips to avoid fraud

Region: Ontario Answer # 1502

What is due diligence?

Due diligence refers to the care that a reasonable person exercises to avoid harm to themselves, to other persons or their property. It is often a necessary step that must be taken to help prevent fraud from occurring. In business and financial transactions, due diligence refers to the investigation and steps taken by someone in order to satisfy a legal requirement, before buying or selling something, or entering into a contract or a financial arrangement with another party.

Professional due diligence

Types of transactions

Professionals can be hired to conduct investigations or audits of business deals involving a variety of transactions, such as:

  • a potential investment in securities,
  • a real estate transaction,
  • a business purchase or sale,
  • an investment in a new product or technology, and so on.

Types of professionals

The types of professionals that can be of assistance include:

  • lawyers
  • accountants
  • realtors
  • appraisers
  • financial institutions
  • investment advisors
  • insurers
  • technical experts
  • fraud investigators

Types of investigations

The standard types of investigations that are conducted include:

  • review of financial records,
  • confirmation of financials with bank or other financial institution,
  • credit checks from credit reporting companies (such as equifax),
  • property title checks obtained from a trusted source (e.g. land titles office or your own lawyer), and
  • confirmation of corporate status, directors, officers, and shareholders (if applicable).

A professional fraud investigator can:

  • review client documentation and information to identify red flags of fraud,
  • conduct standard public record searches on the people or issues identified,
  • conduct covert and overt interviews and gather intelligence utilizing other covert and overt methods, and
  • after an initial investigation is conducted, request that their clients meet with the proposed parties to the transaction for the purpose of gauging their credibility against the information that the investigator has found about them.

Personal due diligence

Due diligence is important to prevent many types of fraud, and while professional services can be used in some cases, it is also up to the consumer to do their own due diligence.

Tips for avoiding fraud

There are many things you can do to protect yourself against any number of other types of scams and potential fraud. These tips will help protect you whether you are having home renovations done, renting a property, buying insurance, getting a mortgage, or entering a new romantic relationship.

  • Know who you are dealing with, ask questions and verify information
  • Check with the governing body for licensing and insurance requirements
  • Don’t sign anything you don’t understand
  • Don’t sign anything for large amounts of money without having it reviewed by your lawyer
  • Do not give out your personal information without verifying who is getting it
  • Be cautious if you are asked to make up-front payments
  • Get company information, including name and address and ensure that all verbal promises are backed by a written contract
  • Have a contract in place for things like construction work
  • Never give an unsolicited caller access to your computer
  • Do not give out credit card or online account details over the phone, unless you made the call and the number you are calling came from a trusted source
  • Never wire money unless you’re absolutely certain that you’re sending it to someone you know
  • Be suspicious of any calls from supposedly distressed relatives who don’t give their names. After hanging up, try calling the family member with the phone numbers you have to see if they actually need help
  • Be suspicious of any calls from a supposed government agency (such as CRA) or other businesses demanding payments
  • To avoid real estate fraud, buyers can do some investigations themselves. This includes checking the licensing and reputation of the realtor, and visiting the property. However, as real estate transactions are usually a large financial commitment, having their own lawyer check property title and complete the legal enquiries and transaction, buy title insurance, and deal with known financial institutions are very prudent measures that a potential buyer should also take
  • Landlords should check references (in some cases a police criminal record check), credit reports, and employment information of potential tenants

Tips for avoiding fraud online

  • Change online passwords regularly and make them secure (don’t use common information about yourself)
  • Don’t post personal info such as date of birth, mailing address, or SIN on social media sites
  • Have the most current anti-virus software and firewall on your computer
  • Don’t send financial information by email or text
  • When purchasing online, make sure the site is secure. It should begin with https
  • Don’t open links that appear in an email asking you to begin a financial transaction. Go directly to the organization’s website
  • Don’t download apps or software programs from an unsecure source
  • Don’t use unsecure wifi (such as in a coffee shop) if the device you are using has personal information on it (such as your phone contacts, apple id, banking records, residence or employment information)

If you discover you are a victim of fraud, it is a good idea to contact a fraud recovery expert for advice.

If you a have a criminal record due to fraud-related charges (or for any other criminal offence), and wish to erase your record, call toll-free 1-888-808-3628 or learn more at Pardon Partners. It’s easier than you think.


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