March is fraud awareness month. The London Police Service has launched a public awareness campaign to help prevent people from falling victim to scams. Detective Sean Harding says the force has been active on social media and is hosting a seminar at the end of the month.
The seminar will be at the police station on March 27th from 7-8:30pm. It’s free and open to anyone who registers online before the event. Harding says the seminar will contain information on how frauds happen and how to avoid it.
Detective Sean Harding
“The three R’s of fraud, recognize, reject, and report.”
While preventing fraud is the best option, Harding says all hope is not lost if you have been scammed. The next step is reporting it to both the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and London Police.
“Now more than ever, money moves quick and so action is important to take quickly.”
He says scamming is on the rise especially through online methods, which means even young people are especially at risk now.
“All demographics have got to be aware of it. We are seeing it right from youth, right to the elderly.”
This is why the detective emphasizes communication between family and friends of all ages about anything suspicious. He also warned that scammers always try and rush decisions.
“The five-and-two rule: before you send any money, sit for five minutes and talk to two friends.”
More information, and the link to register for the seminar can be found here.
