Anti-Fraud Awareness Seminar

The Muskoka Ratepayers’ Association hosted an excellent informative anti-fraud awareness seminar on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023.  The seminar was led by Tom Cheel from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.  Mr. Cheel’s background includes many years of service with the Toronto Police Service including as a detective, time as a financial crime investigator with Scotiabank and working with ICICI Bank.

Mr. Cheel explained that it is important to protect oneself so not to be a victim of fraud, stating it is easier to fool someone then convince someone that they are being fooled.  Individuals become victims of fraud as they are vulnerable in one way or another.  Fraudsters pray on individual’s vulnerability and shock value.  If something does not feel right, Mr. Cheel suggests that you take two steps back and review the situation.  Fraud is a non-violent crime.

Mr. Cheel walked those present through:

  • Romance scams
  • Investment scams
  • Prize and lottery scams
  • Service calls
  • Fake calls
  • Bank inspectors
  • Emergency scams
  • Phone calls
  • I Tune gift cards
  • Bit coin
  • Identify Fraud

And ways to avoid being caught!!  It is important to remember not to give people more information about yourself than required and to have a “keyword” in case of emergency such as someone’s middle name to identify themselves.

This information and more can be found in the document just below (click on the page to advance, or the expand icon below the document)

or as a download – Fraud Prevention Toolkit.  The booklet also contains many links to other helpful sites.

The MRA thanked Mr. Cheel for such an in-depth presentation, as well as those who attended.  We are certain that those who attended left with invaluable information.

June 2023