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General News · 17th June 2024
Mercedes Grant
Scam Awareness and Prevention for Seniors
It’s likely that we all know someone who has been the target of an online or phone based scam. Unfortunately, scam artists or “fraudsters” will target senior citizens in particular, using manipulative tactics through email, or phone in an attempt to access their money. They take advantage of folks who are vulnerable to these tactics, whether it’s getting a call or email from your local bank saying your account has been compromised, a call or notification from the “CRA” regarding your GST or pension payment, a long-lost family member or friend in need of financial help, a Facebook marketplace sale with e-transfer/direct deposit, or offering a seductive opportunity to “invest” in a fake local business, these are just a couple of the examples of how these digital vampires can sink their teeth into your funds.
While this can happen to anyone of any age, the elderly populations are at particular risk due to a variety of factors including a lack of knowledge of how to protect their digital privacy, a great sense of trust, and even loneliness. In 2018, $20 million dollars was lost to “romance” scams in 2018, and the most targeted group was seniors, “by a landslide”, reports fraud analyst Keith Ward, with the RCMP Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. (from The Calgary Herald, March 2019)
Fortunately, there’s a growing movement to educate seniors on scam awareness, what to look out for, and how to protect yourself from scamming, It can be difficult to keep up with all of the ways that these fraudsters function, so one of the most effective tools is community connection and shared knowledge. Fraudsters know the unfortunate fact that many senior citizens live alone, and/or have a limited social network and they prey on this vulnerability.
If you know any elderly folks in your community who may not have many family or friends looking out for them, please take the time to reach out and share these resources with them. Remember that it can be a steep learning curve when navigating digital privacy and technology, as many seniors didn’t grow up with or learn with these tools like newer generations. Be compassionate and patient, and remember that this can happen to any of us, regardless of age.
VIDEO: Seniors Can Be Fraud-Fighting, Scam-Busting Superheroes, Too - This video shows senior citizens what to look out for so they won't become victims of frauds and scams. It also provides tips for loved ones to help keep their elderly family and friends safe from becoming victims.
https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/resources/video-seniors-can-be-fraud-fighting-scam-busting-superheroes-too
ARTICLE: What Spoofing Means and How To Stay Safe - Spoofing is when a fraudster disguises an email address, sender name, phone number or website address to fool you into thinking you are communicating with a trusted person or business. This article will help you recognize spoofing when it’s happening and how to protect yourself from fraud.
https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/resources/what-spoofing-means-and-how-to-stay-safe
ARTICLES // Canadian Anti-Fraud Awareness Bulletins
Tricks of the Trade: What’s in a fraudster’s toolbox? - https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/files/preview/26338
Although fraudsters are always changing tactics and using advancements in technology to steal personal information and money, here are some of their common tools.
Phishing - https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/files/preview/26335
Phishing is one of the easiest ways for fraudsters to steal log in credentials, personal information or even infiltrate corporate networks. Fraudsters will use mass email and text message campaigns to send messages that appear to be from recognized institutions, companies or government agencies. These emails may claim that you need to update your account or that money is ready to be deposited.
Service Scams - https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/files/preview/26336
Service scam fraudsters will often claim that they are one of your existing service providers or claim to offer services at a much lower cost. These fraudsters are attempting to steal your money without providing a service or your personal information.
Investment Scams - https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/files/preview/26337
With reported losses of $308.6 million to the CAFC, investment scams produced the highest losses in 2022. In most of these cases, the investment opportunities offered higher than normal, or true monetary, returns which often resulted in investors losing most, or all, of their money.
ARTICLE: Romance Scams
https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/news/romance-scams
“The internet has made it easier for people to connect, share interests and develop relationships. Social media, online classifieds, and dating websites and apps have helped many Canadians meet new people. While online dating can lead to successful relationships, fraudsters also use online dating platforms to target potential victims.”
ARTICLE: How To Verify The CRA Contacted You
https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/news/how-to-verify-the-cra-has-contacted-you
ARTICLE: The 12 Scams of The Holidays - Holiday season is ripe with scam activity, here are a few to stay on top of.
https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/news/the-12-scams-of-the-holidays
Please find attached below a document on Frauds and Scams updated January 2024.
Local Support //
Techspert Clio offers regularly scheduled, free tech support sessions
Next Dates: June 20th (stay tuned to Tidelines for future dates)
Time: 3pm - 5pm
Location: The Pod at The Commons (behind the radio station)
Joel is the Better at Home tech support, if you are a BAH client he can support you with subsidized technical support - (fees calculated based on client category).
It’s likely that we all know someone who has been the target of an online or phone based scam. Unfortunately, scam artists or “fraudsters” will target senior citizens in particular, using manipulative tactics through email, or phone in an attempt to access their money. They take advantage of folks who are vulnerable to these tactics, whether it’s getting a call or email from your local bank saying your account has been compromised, a call or notification from the “CRA” regarding your GST or pension payment, a long-lost family member or friend in need of financial help, a Facebook marketplace sale with e-transfer/direct deposit, or offering a seductive opportunity to “invest” in a fake local business, these are just a couple of the examples of how these digital vampires can sink their teeth into your funds.
While this can happen to anyone of any age, the elderly populations are at particular risk due to a variety of factors including a lack of knowledge of how to protect their digital privacy, a great sense of trust, and even loneliness. In 2018, $20 million dollars was lost to “romance” scams in 2018, and the most targeted group was seniors, “by a landslide”, reports fraud analyst Keith Ward, with the RCMP Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. (from The Calgary Herald, March 2019)
Fortunately, there’s a growing movement to educate seniors on scam awareness, what to look out for, and how to protect yourself from scamming, It can be difficult to keep up with all of the ways that these fraudsters function, so one of the most effective tools is community connection and shared knowledge. Fraudsters know the unfortunate fact that many senior citizens live alone, and/or have a limited social network and they prey on this vulnerability.
If you know any elderly folks in your community who may not have many family or friends looking out for them, please take the time to reach out and share these resources with them. Remember that it can be a steep learning curve when navigating digital privacy and technology, as many seniors didn’t grow up with or learn with these tools like newer generations. Be compassionate and patient, and remember that this can happen to any of us, regardless of age.
VIDEO: Seniors Can Be Fraud-Fighting, Scam-Busting Superheroes, Too - This video shows senior citizens what to look out for so they won't become victims of frauds and scams. It also provides tips for loved ones to help keep their elderly family and friends safe from becoming victims.
https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/resources/video-seniors-can-be-fraud-fighting-scam-busting-superheroes-too
ARTICLE: What Spoofing Means and How To Stay Safe - Spoofing is when a fraudster disguises an email address, sender name, phone number or website address to fool you into thinking you are communicating with a trusted person or business. This article will help you recognize spoofing when it’s happening and how to protect yourself from fraud.
https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/resources/what-spoofing-means-and-how-to-stay-safe
ARTICLES // Canadian Anti-Fraud Awareness Bulletins
Tricks of the Trade: What’s in a fraudster’s toolbox? - https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/files/preview/26338
Although fraudsters are always changing tactics and using advancements in technology to steal personal information and money, here are some of their common tools.
Phishing - https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/files/preview/26335
Phishing is one of the easiest ways for fraudsters to steal log in credentials, personal information or even infiltrate corporate networks. Fraudsters will use mass email and text message campaigns to send messages that appear to be from recognized institutions, companies or government agencies. These emails may claim that you need to update your account or that money is ready to be deposited.
Service Scams - https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/files/preview/26336
Service scam fraudsters will often claim that they are one of your existing service providers or claim to offer services at a much lower cost. These fraudsters are attempting to steal your money without providing a service or your personal information.
Investment Scams - https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/files/preview/26337
With reported losses of $308.6 million to the CAFC, investment scams produced the highest losses in 2022. In most of these cases, the investment opportunities offered higher than normal, or true monetary, returns which often resulted in investors losing most, or all, of their money.
ARTICLE: Romance Scams
https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/news/romance-scams
“The internet has made it easier for people to connect, share interests and develop relationships. Social media, online classifieds, and dating websites and apps have helped many Canadians meet new people. While online dating can lead to successful relationships, fraudsters also use online dating platforms to target potential victims.”
ARTICLE: How To Verify The CRA Contacted You
https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/news/how-to-verify-the-cra-has-contacted-you
ARTICLE: The 12 Scams of The Holidays - Holiday season is ripe with scam activity, here are a few to stay on top of.
https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/news/the-12-scams-of-the-holidays
Please find attached below a document on Frauds and Scams updated January 2024.
Local Support //
Techspert Clio offers regularly scheduled, free tech support sessions
Next Dates: June 20th (stay tuned to Tidelines for future dates)
Time: 3pm - 5pm
Location: The Pod at The Commons (behind the radio station)
Joel is the Better at Home tech support, if you are a BAH client he can support you with subsidized technical support - (fees calculated based on client category).
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