Phony disaster relief charities and bogus customer reviews have been named among the Better Business Bureau's Top 10 scams list.

Canadians lost a staggering $70 million to swindlers in 2014, according to the national anti-fraud centre, up from $53 million the year before.

The Better Business Bureau says its annual list is designed to help consumers protect themselves – and their money – from crooks’ most common tricks.

“Fraudsters will target people who may not be as well informed about scams taking place,” BBB president Danielle Primrose said.

“However, we are only victimized if we allow ourselves to be victimized.”

This year’s scams largely take place online, where hackers and fraudsters can easily replicate trusted brands and target many victims at once, according to the BBB.

Some of the scams included this year are:

The fake friend request

Be careful when accepting Facebook friend requests. The BBB warns that if you see a request from someone you thought you were already Facebook friends with, it could be a scammer after your personal information. The best protection is to keep privacy settings tight and confidential information to yourself.

Tricky online automotive pricing

Scammers can hide a car’s accident history, rebuilt status or true mileage, or even sell a vehicle that doesn’t exist. The hope is to find a buyer who’ll pay up without checking on the details. The BBB recommends running a vehicle history report, doing some online sleuthing or buying from a licensed dealer.

Fake disaster charity fundraising

According to the BBB, more than 100 fake Ebola charities popped up last year. These scams can be presented through emails or fake websites purportedly set up to help affected families or victims. The best advice: only give to charities you trust.

Remote computer repair

In this scam, thieves call victims claiming to be from Microsoft. They warn that a virus has infected the victim’s computer, and either sells them an unnecessary computer program or steals their banking information and passwords.

Fake online 'customer' reviews

Nine out of 10 consumers check online reviews before buying a product or trying a restaurant, according to the BBB. Unfortunately, many people take advantage of review sites – even big ones like Yelp and Trip Advisor – to post fake reviews that make their business look better. The process is also called “astroturfing.”

To read the rest of the Top 10 scams and learn more about how to protect yourself, visit the BBB website.