A recent survey by Environics for the Competition Bureau showed that nearly 60 per cent of Canadians were targeted by mass marketing fraud, resulting in one million adult Canadian victims losing anywhere from $5 to $50,000 last year.
It is a myth to think that fraud affects only naïve elderly people. Research shows that fraud cuts across different age groups, social classes and can even happen to well-educated people.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) sees a rise in the number of scams targeted new Canadian immigrants who are especially vulnerable due to a lack of education about fraud prevention.
That is why the BBB and other fraud protection agencies present “Scam Jam” a free public event offering tips and tools to keep you from becoming a victim.
“We want to encourage all people to come out, especially those in the South Asian community,” says Lynda Pasacreta, BBB President and CEO. “We want consumers and businesses to understand the importance of recognizing the signs of scams and fraud. Scam Jam is a fun and interactive way to learn.”
This 6th annual free community event will be held on Thursday, March 27 at the Days Inn in Surrey (9850 King George Hwy). All presentations and materials will be available in Punjabi.
Due to the large number of homeowners in Surrey, and a growing fear of mortgage fraud in BC, the Financial Institutions Commission will be offering talks on mortgage fraud and land title fraud.
Other topics will be ID theft, with a special focus on social networking sites like Facebook, as well as how investment fraud targets community and church groups as presented by InvestRight, an investor education project of the BC Securities Commission.
Scam Jam promises plenty of valuable information for everyone, including the usual great list of speakers and consumer exhibitions. People attending will be entered into a draw for one of five free shredders. No preregistration is required to attend.
Scam Jam is sponsored by The Now and Canwest Newspapers.
For more information, please contact:
Mark Fernandes, Communications Specialist
Better Business Bureau
Call: (604) 488-8701
mark@mainlandbc.bbb.org