As March 31 of this year, around close to 8,000 Canadians were victims of fraud.
This is according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, which reports $123 million had been lost to fraud in the first three months of 2024. This is compared to $569 million for all of 2023.
Reports to police from people who have been targeted by scammers have seemingly been on the rise in B.C. In March, RCMP in Richmond alerted the public to a significant rise in sophisticated online scams. On May 8, Prince George RCMP said it was seeing an increase in use of the “grandparent scam.” Kelowna RCMP in 2023 saw reported frauds increase by 41 per cent. And in February of this year, Salmon Arm RCMP said they were receiving an “extremely high call volume” relating to incidents of fraud.
Following the “forewarned is forearmed” approach, a free public event has been organized that will revolve around a presentation on how to protect yourself from frauds and scams. Scheduled for Wednesday, May 29 at the Salmar Classic, presenters include Salmon Arm RCMP Const. Elicia Houle, who will talk about common scams and frauds, and Service Canada’s Tabitha Gray, who will share ways to protect your identification and other information.
Other information and resources will be shared to help people become better forewarned.
The event is being presented by Salmon Arm & Area Community Response Network host agency the SAFE Society. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. with the presentations beginning at 10. Coffee and a light snack will be available.
For more information, call 250-833-6100.
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