The Better Business Bureau has introduced its Scam Tracker tool to Canada, allowing Canadians to access and contribute to its online database of known scams. Scam Tracker allows users to access a regularly updated database of fraudulent activities based on region, date, and scam type. As reported by the CBC, "It's a hot map that will identify scams as they're reported in real time, they will show the number of reported scams, where geographically they're hitting and where they're trending," says Mary Power, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. "This tool allows technology to give consumers (access to) quicker information, better information, and trends so that they can protect themselves."

The online tool has been available in the United States since February of this year. It utilizes contributions from individuals online as well as the information collected by the 112 independently operated Better Business Bureau offices in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1912, the Better Business Bureau is a non-profit organization focused on marketplace trust and consumer protection. As most scams target vulnerable citizens, including the elderly, mental health survivors, and new immigrants, the dissemination of real-time information is a significant step towards educating these groups about the wide variety of potential scams. Since the tool maps reported fraudulent activity, users can get up-to-date information about fraud perpetrated in their particular area. 

According to the official website of the Better Business Bureau, “BBB processes nearly a million complaints a year against legitimate businesses, but perpetrators of scams are not interested in resolving matters… even if they could be located. The data collection process for BBB Scam Tracker was designed to generate information that can be useful to law enforcement.” As more users adopt the Scam Tracker tool and file reports, those numbers will increase, allowing citizens to protect themselves and law enforcement officials to discover trends in fraudulent activities.