Seniors get advice on scams, frauds from OPP

By Deanna Bertrand

Learning ways to protect yourself and your information is key to preventing fraud and falling victim to scams.

That was the message from Ontario Provincial Police Community Safety Officer Constable Katherine Burt, who was the guest speaker at the Leamington Half Century Centre for an information session June 9.

The session was the first of a series called the “Elephants of Aging” which are being offered by the Leamington Senior’s Advisory Committee over the next few months geared towards seniors and the many changes they face with age.

Constable Burt spoke to a group of about 30 people at the session saying, “It is not just seniors but people of all ages,” who are being forced to deal with fraud and scams –many of which do target seniors such as the widely know grandparent telephone scam. This is where a caller claims to be your grandchild and says they are in some sort of trouble and need money immediately.

“Every day they are coming up with new ways to pull the wool over your eyes,” Burt commented, telling residents to be cautious about answering calls from unknown phone numbers and people asking for information, emails addresses, etc.

“Your risk of becoming a fraud victim is not linked to your age, ethnicity, income or geographic location. Scammers don’t care about any of that –they just want your money and/or personal information,” said Constable Burt.

“They will say something that sounds legit,” she commented. “If you are asked to do anything – don’t,” she said, but do your own research. Ask to call back to verify information. Check with other family members, bank, etc. Check with the police or the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre.

Another popular telephone and email scam is when a caller claims to be from Canada Revenue Agency.

Burt said scams work by capitalizing on confusing people, causing fear and anxiety, etc.

“They make it sound real,” she said of callers saying they are from CRA and threatening people

with court charges or jail, which she said CRA would not do.

“Never send money before verifying details,” she said.

Scam artists are up to date and well-organized, she said, with the latest technologies and techniques, even using social media accounts to gather information.

Another scam is being given an overpayment in the form of a cashier’s cheque for something you are owed money for or goods or some sort of prize winnings. You are then asked to deposit the counterfeit cheque and send excess monies immediately back to sender. The cashier’s cheque is subsequently returned as counterfeit and charged back to the victim.

Printed materials from Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, which is supported by the OPP, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Competition Bureau Canada, were handed out to those in attendance and warn of many other dangers such as being cautious of anyone coming to your door. If you don’t know them, don’t open it. Don’t invite them in. If a suspicious salesperson tries to rush you to buy something, refuse. The key to preventing fraud is to recognize, reject and report it.

According to the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre, the following statistics have been collected on the impact of fraud so far this year, as of March 31, 2023: reports of fraud - 18,645 (92,078 in 2022); victims of fraud - 12,094 (57,578 in 2022); and lost to fraud - $133.7 million ($531 million in 2022).

Sadly, according to Constable Burt, those numbers don’t reflect the many thefts that go unreported and people often feel embarrassed by their loss even though they are the victim.

To learn more on how to protect yourself, current scams or how to report a possible fraud go to http://www.antifraudcentre.ca or call 1-888-4958501 or Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.

The next presentation in the series “Elephants of Aging” will be on Advanced Care Planning and will be held on Wednesday, July 12 at 10 a.m. at Chartwell Retirement Residence, located at 1 Henry Ave., Leamington. Estate planning will follow in August, and September’s presentation will be Where to Live.

You can visit leamington.ca/seniors for more event information and updates.

Ray Simpson (left) and Beth Smith (right) chat with Ontario Provincial Police Constable Katherine Burt following an information session to recognize the many possible frauds and scams being used and how to protect yourself and report it if it does happen to you.