If you suspect someone is taking advantage of or impersonating the workers' compensation system, we encourage you to report it. By identifying and reporting fraudulent activity, you’re helping to keep the system and your information secure.
Protect yourself
It is important to protect yourself and your information from fraud, scams and impersonation. We’ve heard reports of scammers fraudulently representing themselves as WCB-Alberta to try and get personal and banking information from Albertans. We want to help you be aware of and spot these scams, and know what to do if any communication you receive seems suspicious.
Know how to recognize a scam
Fraudulent communication (also known as scams) can be sent via phone, mail, text message, email or social media. The sender might encourage you to click on links or request personal information, such as your claim information, social insurance number, credit card details, bank account information, passwords or passport number.
These red flags will help you tell when something may be wrong:
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Unexpected communication asking for personal information
It’s unlikely we’ll reach out to ask for personal details or banking information without previous discussion. If you aren’t sure whether a request for information is legitimate, please reach out to your trusted WCB contact (e.g., claim owner) or call our contact centre to verify. -
An unfamiliar sender
Our emails will end with @wcb.ab.ca or @millardhealth.com. Do not trust an email sent from a different address as someone may be trying to impersonate a WCB employee. -
Communication sent via text message or social media
We will not reach out to you via text message or through social media (e.g., Facebook Messenger or Twitter direct message), but we do monitor our official social media inboxes and will respond if you submit an inquiry. -
Threatening messaging or coercive language
Scammers use this to scare you into visiting questionable websites, providing personal information and/or paying money for various reasons.
Protect yourself and your information
Be vigilant, be cautious and, when in doubt, check with us.
If something looks suspicious, do not respond. Never click on any questionable links or provide personal information to an untrustworthy source.
If you aren’t sure whether a communication is legitimate, reach out to your trusted WCB contact (e.g., claim owner or industry specialist) or call our contact centre to verify. We are happy to confirm whether the communication is from us and we’ll let you know if there’s any information we need from you.
Protect the system
The workers’ compensation system belongs to all of us. We rely on most people to be honest—and they are! However, there is a small percentage who are not, which can add up to big costs to the system and to Albertans.
Misuse occurs when an individual is intentionally dishonest in order to obtain money, goods or services to which they are not entitled. We should all be alert for signs someone is taking advantage of the system for their personal gain.
Possible worker indicators
The following signs may indicate a worker is receiving benefits and/or services they may not be entitled to:
- Misrepresenting or exaggerating an injury
- Making false or misleading statements
- Falsely claiming an injury or illness is work-related
- Working while receiving disability benefits
Possible employer indicators
The following signs may indicate an employer is taking advantage of the workers’ compensation system. These actions by an employer may delay recovery and return to work for their injured workers and create additional costs for the system and the public:
- Failing to report a workplace injury or illness
- Unlawfully deducting premiums from a worker’s wages
- Intimidating a worker into not reporting a claim
- Deliberately understating or falsifying payroll information
- Employers in compulsory industries failing to register for an employer account, or registering only when a claim is filed
- Possessing or using a forged or false WCB clearance certificate
Possible service provider indicators
The following signs may indicate a service provider is taking advantage of the workers’ compensation system. These actions by a service provider may create additional costs for employers who fund the system:
- Intentionally falsifying an invoice
- Billing for services that are not provided or are medically unnecessary
Report anything suspicious
If you believe you’re a victim of a fraudulent incident or your confidential information may have been stolen or obtained by a fraudulent party, please contact your local law enforcement for direction and then let us know so we can inform others who may be impacted.
If you suspect someone is abusing the system, you can report it to us. You don’t have to provide your personal information if you wish to remain anonymous. By providing your contact information, an investigator can follow up with you if they have questions or require more details.
You can also report your concerns by calling:
- 780-498-3999 (Edmonton)
- 403-517-6000 (Calgary)
- 1-866-922-9221 (toll-free in Alberta)
- 1-800-661-9608 (toll-free outside Alberta)
After receiving your report, the information will be sent to an investigator for consideration. To respect individual privacy, we are not able to disclose whether an investigation has occurred or the result.
Disclaimer
This information is provided for educational purposes. we do not accept any liability for any loss incurred by victim(s) of identity fraud, scams or impersonations.
Resources
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Fraud report online form
If you believe someone is misusing the workers’ compensation system, you can use this online form to let us know. -
Fraud procedure
In the event a WCB-Alberta employee becomes suspicious about a potentially fraudulent situation, we have an internal fraud procedure to help guide their actions. -
Protecting the workers' compensation system fact sheet for workers
This fact sheet for workers shows how you can help protect the workers' compensation system from misuse by other workers, employers or service providers. -
Protecting the workers' compensation system fact sheet for employers
This fact sheet for employers shows how you can help protect the workers' compensation system from misuse by workers, other employers or service providers. -
Protecting the workers' compensation system fact sheet for health care and service providers
This fact sheet for health care and service providers shows how you can help protect the workers' compensation system from misuse by workers, employers or other service providers.
