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SHERBROOKE – Residents and guests gathered to learn about scams and frauds, as well as how to better protect against being victimized, at the Maple Manor seniors’ complex on May 5.
Representatives from the Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre (AWRC), Guysborough Adult Learning Association (GALA) and the RCMP provided advice on recognizing signs that they may be a target, and tips on how to avoid being defrauded or placing themselves in danger. They stressed that scammers can go after anyone; no one is immune.
Natalie Sangster, an AWRC rural community worker, and Nova Scotia Community College student Vanessa Zwicker spoke on the increasing use of technology to steal someone’s money or identity.
“We live in a tech age,” said Sangster, while acknowledging people should be able to “feel safe” when using technology, but she reminded that they must be aware of threats.
Sangster noted that the AWRC delivers computer training and classes, while offering tips on how to be better protected against the practices used by predators to scam people online.
With the increasing use of computers and the internet, scammers are evolving, fraud is on the rise and seniors are being targeted more than ever before. With advanced technology, they have developed more ways in which to carry out frauds, such as hacking into online bank accounts.
Sangster explained that, with banks closing branches in smaller communities, people must travel further to do their business in person, which means more people, including seniors, are “being forced into online correspondence and banking.”
With the increase in online dating, she recommended that people need to screen potential dates “before putting themselves out there in person.” Noting that catfishing is on the rise – with fraudsters pretending to be someone they are not, even reaching beyond local limits including to other countries – Sangster indicated that many people have been duped.
Another growing practice involves scammers phoning seniors and telling them that a grandchild or loved one has been involved in a serious accident and that they require money for medical treatment.
With advancement in artificial intelligence (AI), fraudsters can pose as a loved one by using voice recognition technology. They can also create a fake photo – placing the face of an intended victim on a naked body, a growing practice in sextortion scams.
Using AI for sextortion is a growing practice. With the advancement in AI technology, it’s now possible for scammers to create a fake photo, using the picture of a naked person and replacing the naked person’s face with the face of an intended victim. The threat of making the photo public becomes a tool to extort money.
Donna Casey, an instructor with GALA, spoke to the group about her organization’s programs, including safe computer and internet use, with a focus on password security. She emphasized the importance of using different, unique passwords for each online account and changing them regularly to reduce the risk of hacking. If all passwords are the same, she warned, a hacker who gains access to one account can potentially access them all.
Noting that there are red flags to watch when it comes to scams and frauds, Const. Tracy Hudak of the Canso RCMP said scams – or attempts to scam – should be reported to authorities.
“Fraudsters are real. They are out there everyday looking for victims, and will target you online, over the phone, by mail or in person,” she added.
Hudak stressed the importance of learning about the types of fraud and what to do if you are targeted, while encouraging people to “trust their instincts.”
She said, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
Never send money or share financial or personal information on a dating website, and exercise discretion when meeting someone in person.
“It’s very unlikely any legitimate person will declare their undying love to anyone after only a few emails, letters, phone calls or pictures,” Hudak explained.
Noting that “knowledge is power,” she said there are numerous websites that provide information on how to protect against scams and frauds.
Crediting the AWRC for offering such free information sessions and partnering with other agencies to do so, Sherbrooke resident Barbara Furlong described the information session as “simply heartwarming.”
She said, “These speakers are real people, not speaking at us, but rather with us. We need all the help we can get, and this compassionate organization leads the way.”
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), managed by the RCMP, collects data on various scams and assists law enforcement in investigations. It also supplies resources to help protect personal and financial information from scams. For more details, visit antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.
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