A number of stakeholders in Alberta are spreading the word after bleak statistics released Wednesday reveal the province is home to the highest number of fraudsters in Canada.

As a result, the Alberta Motor Association and the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police released a stern warning Wednesday for all residents to be on alert for scams.

Fraud rates in Alberta are 42 per cent higher than the rest of Canada -- and the province also has the highest rate of fraud charges in Canada.

Edmonton police chief Mike Boyd said they are fighting back by releasing a number of pamphlets and other educational material to educate people against fraud-related crime.

"There are not enough police officers in our province to be able to stop, prevent and or investigate the types of crimes being reported around fraud," he said.

The newest police initiative is to get the valuable anti-fraud information out to everyone. Pamphlets are available at the AMA or at Edmonton police stations. People can also contact AMA directly and ask for presentations to be delivered to their home.

Det. Bob Gauthier said criminals are drawn to Alberta for a reason.

"They know if we come to Alberta, we are going to get people with money in their bank accounts," he said.

Almost-fraud victim Erin Stevenson said someone phoned people promising a free trip to Florida.

"I got phoned and told I won this contest and then they proceeded to ask me for money," she said.

The person told her the final cost would be $1,600.

For access to all the information in the fraud awareness toolkit, visit www.ama.ab.ca/fraud.

With a report from CTV Edmonton's Dez Melenka