In this final episode of Season 1 of Aging Vibrantly, we are putting a stop to frauds and scams targeting seniors.
Our host Raeann Rideout and co-host Mary Ennis, speak with Stephanie Senecal, the Senior Support Unit Coordinator from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, along with Karen Deredin and Bonnie Bednarik, who are senior volunteers at the CAFC, who share their wealth of information and their lived experience to help us gain a better understanding of how frauds happen and actions to take to prevent frauds and scams.
Every year, people of all ages fall victim to fraud. Data from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre shows that Canadians lost a staggering $638 million to fraud in 2024. Although scams can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time, we know that older people are being targeted more than others. According to the Government of Canada, fraud is the number one crime against older Canadians.
This episode focuses on increasing awareness of current scams, emergency scams and romance/friendship scams to provide tips on how to recognize the signs to protect against falling prey to scammers.
During this episode you will learn:
______________________________
Let us know if you enjoyed the podcast!!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Podcast_Listeners
**Don't Forget to Rate our Show**
______________________________
Reference Websites:
Canadian Anti- Fraud Centre (CAFC)
https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm
Canadian Bankers Association
https://cba.ca/for-canadians/scam-prevention
Competition Bureau of Canada
https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/fraud-and-scams
Equifax
https://www.equifax.ca/business/fraud-prevention
Scams and fraud - Government of Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/fraud-scams.html
Resources:
Little Black Book of Scams
https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/little-black-book-scams
CAFC Protect Yourself Information
https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/protect-protegez-eng.htm
EAPO: Frauds and Scams Protect Each Other
https://eapon.ca/factsheets/#fraudsandscams
EAPO Protect Yourself: (In 6 languages)
https://eapon.ca/factsheets/#1710950743845-d8dca94d-d796
EAPO Cyber Security for Seniors
https://eapon.ca/factsheets/#Cyber-Security-Tips-for-seniors
EAPO On-line Dating and Romance Scams
https://eapon.ca/factsheets/#romance-scam-tips4seniors
EAPO Gift Card Scams
https://eapon.ca/factsheets/#Gift_Card_Scams
Article on Bonnie’s emergency fraud experience
https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/windsor-senior-helps-police-foil-grandparent-scam
______________________________
About our Guests
Stephanie Senecal
Stephanie is an OPP civilian member and the Senior Support Unit Coordinator at the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). She manages a team of senior volunteers who do call backs to senior victims of fraud, who input fraud data and who also do fraud prevention presentations to the public. Stephanie also presents on a regular basis and assists law enforcement with their senior victims of fraud.
Bonnie Bednarik has been a volunteer with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre since June 2023. Having had a close call with being the victim of a scam herself in a “scamming the scammer” experience, she was recruited by the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre. She is a grandmother and is passionate about doing her part to help other vulnerable victims.
Karen Deredin currently volunteers with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the North Bay Regional Health Centre. She has over 40 years experience working in various administrative/ accounting roles at various organizations, including Inco (now Vale), Optimum Insurance and Nipissing University.
____________________________
CREDITS:
This podcast is Funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.
Producer: Todd Miller, The Podcast Experts
Podcast Coordinator: Lisa Widdifield
Co-Host: Mary Ennis, Member of Aging Vibrantly Podcast Advisory Committee,
Stay Connected :
Don't forget, the best way to show your support and help us grow our Aging Vibrantly podcast, is to subscribe, like, share, rate and leave us a review
Don't forget to also check out other episodes on our Youtube channel or wherever you listen to your podcast. Be sure to check our website eapon.ca to learn more resources on abuse prevention and protecting the rights and dignity of older adults.
Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as constituting or implying endorsement by EAPO of any entity, product, service or organization mentioned, referenced, or linked.
