By Joanne Oostveen The Weekly News
Learn how to protect yourself against fraud this March during Fraud Prevention Month.
"Fraud is a serious problem," said Monique LeBlanc who chairs the Fraud Prevention Forum.
To find out more, the public is invited to check out Scam Jam at Mic Mac Mall on March 24 to learn tips that just may save you a lot of money and heartache.
Consumers need to protect themselves against all types of fraud, said LeBlanc.
At Scam Jam exhibitors will conduct seminars, give tips and display exhibits in order to empower consumers to learn how to say no to scammers.
"Internet, mail fraud, deceptive telemarketing and identity theft are serious problems that can be dealt with by education in order to prevent yourself against being a victim," she said.
There is no typical fraud victim. LeBlanc said thousands of Canadians are defrauded every year and victims are more than likely to be educated and informed. No one is beyond the reach of scam artists, she said.
"These scammers are professional criminals that can offer trips, investment opportunities and are often believable," she said.
"The best piece of advice is that if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is."
The best way to combat scammers is to recognize it, report it and stop it, said LeBlanc. Many people are afraid to report their dealings with scammers she said, but this is the first important step to dealing with a dangerous problem.
LeBlanc said some of the most common techniques include well-researched phone scripts, generous offers delivered in a friendly tone, ability to impersonate legitimate businesses, banks and charities and the expertise to use your own emotions against you.
"Seniors are often targeted," she said. "Scammers have even been known to impersonate relatives on the phone in order to have cheques sent to them."
The criminals are pretty ingenious said LeBlanc and come up with new scams all the time.
"Always get advice first if you aren't convinced," she said. "Never give details about your bank accounts to someone you don't trust and report anything suspicious to the Anti-Fraud Centre."
The Scam Jam being held at MicMac Mall is sponsored by the Better Business Bureau and will feature participation from local police, the Nova Scotia Ombudsman, the Nova Scotia Department of Seniors, Canada Post, the Competition Bureau, Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, the Canada Revenue Agency, Partners Against Fraud and the Bank of Canada.
"If anyone has any questions we will also be happy to answer them at Scam Jam too," said LeBlanc. "It is our goal to empower the public to say no to scams."
For information, call the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or visit www.antifraudcentre.ca. Scam Jam will take place at MicMac Mall on March 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
