Everyday, it seems, there’s someone else who was taken in by the scammers. Don’t be embarrassed if you’re one of the victims. These fraudsters are professionals. They know just what to say and how to say it to get you off your game. And if you think it won’t happen to you, think again. When there’s a person on the phone at 2 a.m. who says that your grandchild needs you (and your money) it won’t be easy to hang up.

Community Care often includes webinars on frauds and scams in its Active Living Programs. Community Safety Officer Aaron Miller says people can protect themselves by following these tips: pump the brakes and ask more questions; ask for credentials; listen to your inner voice that says “this doesn’t sound right”; be wary of any request for cash or cryptocurrency; be cautious of the sense of urgency; never provide remote computer access; and do not assume phone numbers appearing on your call display are accurate. Legitimate agencies will never pressure you for information over the phone or demand money immediately.

The CRA suggests that people register for their free webinar, to be held on Wednesday, October 11, at 2 p.m.
The title is “be scam smart”.

The CRA invites you to an engaging presentation where you will gain valuable insights on how to recognize the many types of scams and learn what to do if you are a victim. There is a Q&A session to answer your questions live. Register for the webinar early to secure your spot at www.canada.ca. Search for “be scam smart 2023.”.

Finally, if you have been the victim of a fraud, 99.3CountyFM would really like to talk to you. They received a New Horizons Grant to collect stories but are having some difficulty finding people willing to talk about the experience. The embarrassment runs deep on this issue. The grant includes an honourarium. Help people avoid what happened to you by getting involved in this project. Call our local county radio station, 99.3CountyFM, at 613-476-2229.

-Debbie MacDonald Moynes