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Financial Security

ABC's of Fraud

Innovative Consumer Fraud Education and Prevention Program

What we do

The CARP ABCs of Fraud is an innovative and informative program that helps people become “tough targets” by “getting the facts on fraud”!

Canadians lose millions of dollars every year to consumer frauds and scams such as illegal telemarketing; bogus charities; identity theft and more…

CARP delivers this innovative consumer fraud education and prevention program.

Twenty volunteers were recruited and trained to deliver a free one-hour interactive presentation to groups, providing information and tips on identifying and preventing consumer fraud victimization. Originally presented to Seniors groups, volunteers now present the ABCs of Fraud awareness program to a variety of groups, organizations and companies across Nova Scotia.

The demand for information on consumer fraud is extremely high. According to local police services, since presentations began, reports of attempted and unsuccessful scams have increased. They attribute part of that success to the ABCs of Fraud education program.

Speakers use a variety of teaching methods to present information on fraud beginning with role-plays that show an often-surprised audience how easy it is to be caught by scammers and fraudsters.  The presenters also include knowledge assessment quizzes, lectures and handout materials. Presenters also provide an open forum for questions and discussion.

ABCs of Fraud provides information not readily available. Peer teaching, long considered one of the most effective teaching tools for all age groups, provides the interactive experience adults need to learn new and valuable information. By providing a proactive response to consumer fraud, ABCs of Fraud speakers help to reduce the financial, emotional and physical decline, which often accompany the defrauding of an individual.

To book a ABCs of Fraud presentation call (902) 221-2973 or email info@stopfraudns.ca

Fraud/Scam Alert

Ten Ways to Avoid Becoming a Fraud/Scam Victim

If there is a grain of good news about financial fraud, it’s that there are plenty of ways to avoid becoming a victim. “Unlike some other random acts of violence or crime, where you might not that opportunity to protect yourself, here you can,” says Michael Boudreau, a criminology professor at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, NB.

The Rotary ABCs of Fraud offers their tips on protecting yourself and your parents from financial fraud.

  1. If it sounds too good to be true, remember that it is.
  2. Always obtain three quotations for renovation work and check references provided.
  3. Never give out personal information on an incoming call.
  4. Shred or otherwise destroy all personal papers before throwing them in the trash or recycling bin.
  5. Don’t carry your social insurance card or any other personal cards you seldom use in your wallet.
  6. Don’t let anyone pressure you into making a quick decision.
  7. Don’t be fooled into thinking you will get a really big lottery cheque if you send an up-front fee.
  8. If someone calls or comes to the door offering you a free prize but requiring some sort of advance payment, just hang up the phone or shut the door. Emphasize to seniors that they don’t need to worry about being rude.
  9. If you’re not sure about a solicitation, go to the financial institution, police department or the RCMP and ask questions.
  10. If you don’t know whether you’re dealing with a fraudster or a legitimate organization, start your homework with a call to the Better Business Bureau or research it on the internet.

To book a Rotary ABCs of Fraud presentation call (902) 460-8786 or email info@stopfraudns.ca

Report Fraud Immediately

Where to Report Fraud

ABCs of Fraud – An Educational Program on Consumer Fraud

Delivered by The Rotary Club of Halifax

Where to Report Frauds and Scams

The Rotary Club urges you to report any suspicious behaviour to:

  • The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre – (888) 495-8501
  • RECOL (Reporting Economic Crime On Line) – recol.ca
  • Both The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and RECOL put the information into a secure consumer fraud database and share it with local, provincial and federal law enforcement agencies.
  • Do Not Call List – DNCL.gc.ca – (866) 580-3625
  • Canadian Marketing Association – (416) 391-2362  
  • Better Business Bureau Maritimes – (902) 422-6581
  • Canada Customs and Revenue Agency – Charities Division – (800) 267-2384
  • Industry Canada – (800) 348-5358
  • Bank of Canada – bankofcanada.ca/en/banknotes/index.htm
  • Investment Dealer’s Association – (877) 442-4322
  • Canadian Securities Administrators – csa-acvm.ca
  • HRM – (902) 490-5016
  • Provincial Department of Seniors – (877) 833-3377
  • RCMP – (800) 272-9670

To check your Credit Rating, or to notify if you’ve been victimized:

  • Equifax – (800) 465-7166
  • Trans Union Canada – (877) 525-3823

To book a Rotary ABC’s of Fruad Presentation:

Cybersecurity Safety Tips

10 Internet Safety Tips

  • Beware of impostors. Someone might send you an email pretending to be connected with a business or create a Web site that looks just like that of the well-known company or charitable organization.  If you experience doubt, find another way to contact the legitimate business or charity and ask.
  • Beware of “dangerous downloads.”Use care when downloading files from the Internet and installing programs. Install and frequently update anti-virus software.
  • Be careful about providing personal information online. Don’t provide your credit card or personal number unless you have initiated the first contact.
  • Be cautious about unsolicited emails.  Unsolicited emails are often fraudulent.  If you are familiar with the company or charity that sent you the email and you don’t want to receive further messages, send a reply asking to be removed from the email list. However, responding to unfamiliar senders may simply verify that yours is a working email address and will result in even more unwanted messages from strangers.  The best approach is to not respond and delete.
  • Be consumer smart.  If the seller or charity is unfamiliar, research the prospective seller carefully.
  • Be consumer smart. Always pay your online purchases by credit cards because you can dispute the charges if you never receive the goods or the offer was misrepresented.  Alternatively, some online auction Web sites will offer escrow services (for a small fee) that will guarantee the delivery of the ordered goods before releasing your payment to the seller.
  • Be consumer smart.  Resist pressure.  Legitimate companies will be happy to give you time to make a decision.  It’s probably a scam if they demand that you act immediately or won’t take “NO” for an answer.
  • Be consumer smart. Legitimate seller will give you all the details about the products or services, the total price, the delivery time, the refund and cancellation policies and the terms of the warranty.
  • Be consumer smart. Look for information about how complaints are handled.  If can be difficult to resolve complaints, especially if the seller or charity is located in another country.
  • Beware that no complaint is not a guarantee of legitimacy. Fraudulent operators, especially internet impostors, open and close quickly; so the fact that no one has made a complaint yet doesn’t mean that the seller or charity is legitimate.  You still need to be consumer smart and do proper research.

To book a Rotary ABCs of Fraud presentation call (902) 460 8786 or e-mail: info@stopfraudns.ca

Investment Fraud

Investment Fraud Checklist - What’s your I.Q. (Investment Quotient)

Answer the following questions

  1. Is the person contacting you about the investment a stranger?
  2. Is the seller reluctant to provide written information on the investment?
  3. Have you been guaranteed high investment returns?
  4. Does the seller claim the investment has little or no risk?
  5. Is your money guaranteed to be there when you need it?
  6. Are there conflicts of interest, such as stock being offered from inventory?
  7. Have you been offered “insider information”?
  8. Is information on the investment found only on the Internet?
  9. Does the investment sound too good to be true?

ABC's Fraud Presentations

Presentations

Would you like to book a free ABCs of Fraud presentation in Nova Scotia for your group, organization or company?

Call: (902)-454-2267 or email – info@stopfraudns.ca

Presenters

Presenters

Every ABCs of Fraud interactive presentation is given by a trained team member. Our qualified presenters include:

  • Jim Axell
  • Sheila Barling
  • Harry Churchill
  • Mary Clancy
  • Barb Hart
  • Roy Hayword
  • Hector Inzuna
  • Ian MacDonald
  • Scott McKinnon
  • Terry Pond
  • Bob Power
  • Diane Power
  • Colette Robicheau
  • Oscar Wong
  • Bill VanGorder

Sponsors

Sponsors

The ABCs of Fraud Prevention Program is delivered by CARP (Canadian Association of Retired People)

CARP would like to thank the following sponsors for supporting the ABCs of Fraud.

Sponsored by:

CARP Nova Scotia Logo

To book a Rotary ABCs of Fraud presentation call (902) 221-2973 or email info@stopfraudns.ca

Ten Ways to Avoid Becoming a Fraud/Scam Victim

If there is a grain of good news about financial fraud, it’s that there are plenty of ways to avoid becoming a victim. “Unlike some other random acts of violence or crime, where you might not that opportunity to protect yourself, here you can,” says Michael Boudreau, a criminology professor at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, NB.

The Rotary ABCs of Fraud offers their tips on protecting yourself and your parents from financial fraud.

  1. If it sounds too good to be true, remember that it probably is.
  2. Always obtain three quotations for renovation work and check references provided.
  3. Never give out personal information on an incoming call.
  4. Shred or otherwise destroy all personal papers before throwing them in the trash or recycling bin.
  5. Don’t carry your social insurance card or any other personal cards you seldom use in your wallet.
  6. Don’t let anyone pressure you into making a quick decision.
  7. Don’t be fooled into thinking you will get a really big lottery cheque if you send an up-front fee.
  8. If someone calls or comes to the door offering you a free prize but requiring some sort of advance payment, just hang up the phone or shut the door. Emphasize to seniors that they don’t need to worry about being rude.
  9. If you’re not sure about a solicitation, go to the financial institution, police department or the RCMP and ask questions.
  10. If you don’t know whether you’re dealing with a fraudster or a legitimate organization, start your homework with a call to the Better Business Bureau or research it on the internet.

To book a Rotary ABCs of Fraud presentation call (902) 460-8786 or email info@stopfraudns.ca

Book a Fraud Presentation

Book Now

Book an ABCs of Fraud interactive, educational presentation on consumer fraud. We provide informational talks to groups, organization or companies designed to help individuals avoid becoming victims of scams and frauds.

Contact the ABCs of Fraud Coordinator (Ian MacDonald) at (902) 221-2973 or info@stopfraudNS.ca

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CARP (Canadian Association for Retired Persons) is Canada’s largest advocacy association for older Canadians.

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