The Estevan Police, in partnership with local financial institutions, held their first Fraud Prevention Night Monday night to educate older adults on how to protect themselves from various scams.
Several scams are affecting Estevan residents, with marketplace and romance scams being the most common.
“Gift card scams are a big one, where scammers trick people into buying large amounts before stores flag fraudulent transactions,” said Constable Jeff Theissen. “Another common scam is online marketplace fraud, where fake listings are posted, and money is stolen before the goods are ever delivered.”
Grandparent Scams:
“We’re seeing a rise in scams that prey on emotions,” said a representative from Affinity Credit Union. “The best thing people can do is slow down, ask questions, and never feel pressured to act immediately.”
One common scam is fraudsters posing as family members in distress, such as the “grandparent scam,” where a scammer claims to be a grandchild needing urgent financial help. Affinity Credit Union also shared a case where a victim was manipulated into transferring money for an alleged “internal investigation” at the bank.
Online Scams: Facebook Marketplace and E-Transfers
They pointed out that Facebook Marketplace is a hotspot for fraud, with scammers asking for deposits on items that don’t exist. Also warning about fraudulent e-transfers, where scammers send a legitimate-looking payment but include a link to a fake site designed to steal banking credentials.
Romance Scams
Scotiabank noted that romance scams are a growing concern, often taking place on online platforms where scammers create fake personas to manipulate victims into sending money.
Cryptocurrency Scams on the Rise
Cryptocurrency scams are also on the rise, with fraudulent investment platforms luring victims with misleading returns. “Invest only through regulated financial institutions and be cautious of unsolicited online investment offers,” advised a representative from RBC.
The importance of securing personal devices, monitoring bank accounts regularly, and using multi-factor authentication was emphasized.
Fraud Prevention Tips:
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Enable auto-deposit to prevent fraudulent e-transfers.
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Slow down and verify claims to avoid being rushed.
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Contact loved ones directly to confirm urgent financial requests.
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Be cautious on social media, especially with accounts labeled “widowed” or “divorced.”
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Watch for financial changes such as pressure to switch banks or accounts.
Experts also offered advice on protecting personal and banking information:
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Call center red flags: Always call your bank directly if you suspect fraud.
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Power down devices when not in use to prevent remote access.
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Avoid public Wi-Fi as scammers can clone unsecured networks to steal information.
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Be wary of tax scams and never make immediate payments to claims of owing taxes.
As scams become more sophisticated, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence, staying informed and vigilant is more important than ever. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity, as scammers often rely on people feeling ashamed or embarrassed.
Anyone who suspects they’ve been scammed is urged to contact their financial institution and report the incident to authorities.
The event drew a crowd of around 75 participants. “We made 35 handouts and thought that was probably too many, so it exceeded our expectations,” said Constable Danielle Stephany. “But I think it spoke volumes to the need for this, so we’re excited.”
Stephany shared that another information night is already in the works. "Hopefully, with word of mouth, we’ll have even more attending next time,” she added.