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Local seminar provides seniors with guidance on how to avoid scams

December 4, 2025   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

There have been many telephone and internet scams over the past decade, many of which have targeted senior citizens, resulting in millions of dollars being taken from vulnerable people.

CONTACT Community Services partnered with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Royal Canadian Legion to bring information to seniors about how to identify a scam and what to do if this happens to you.

A seminar took place at the Royal Canadian Legion in Tottenham on Wednesday, Nov. 26.

The seminar was presented by Constable Amanda Lafferty of Nottawasaga OPP. 

Cst. Lafferty, who has prior experience with a major fraud unit, recently transferred to the Nottawasaga OPP Detachment to assist with fraud investigations in the region.

The seminar focused on the different types of scams and how to identify them, and what to do if you believe someone is fraudulently trying to get you to hand over money.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre processed 49,432 fraud complaints last year, including identity fraud, service fraud, investment fraud, personal information fraud, bank fraud, merchandise fraud, and romance fraud. These frauds accounted for around $637 million in losses in 2024.

It is believed that only between five and ten per cent of fraud activity is even reported.

Currently, the frauds taking the most money from people are cryptocurrency-related investment frauds.

Many scammers are now using artificial intelligence to fool people into thinking they are speaking to someone they know.

If you are a victim of fraud, Cst. Lafferty said you should report it.

“You may be getting phone calls every day that are scam phone calls,” she said. “I wouldn’t suggest reporting those or you would be calling us every day. If you’re victimized, then you should report it. Usually, these fraudsters don’t target one person, they target hundreds of people. If everyone comes forward to report it, they have different experiences and evidence. When it is reported, it helps us follow trends that are happening in the community.”

Fraudsters may use very elaborate schemes involving several accomplices to convince a person they are legitimate and go to great lengths to keep their identity hidden.

The ‘grandparent scam’ has become common and involves someone posing as a senior citizen’s grandchild to target them. The scammer claims to be in legal trouble and asks for money to get out of it.

Grandparents have been scammed out of money because they believe they are helping their grandchild get out of a jam.

Romance scams are also common, with fraudsters sometimes spending years posing as romantic interests and slowly draining a person’s finances.

There are several ways to protect yourself from a scam.

“Never give anyone remote access to your computer,” Cst. Lafferty explained. “Never give your banking information to anyone. You should go to the source and call your bank yourself. Don’t use the phone number they are giving you. Look up the legitimate phone number and call the bank to verify information.”

When it comes to romance scams, Cst. Lafferty said it can often be helpful to just speak to a friend about your situation. A friend may see big red flags where a person who believes they are emotionally involved with someone will miss.

The seminar was very informative and provided a lot of helpful information to help people, especially seniors, avoid becoming victims of fraud.  

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