Special to The VOICE
THE VPD Scam Prevention for Seniors seminar delivered recently to seniors at Ross Street Gurdwara in Punjabi was met with a positive reception. The community came together to learn about fraud prevention and protect themselves from financial exploitation.
There were over 200 seniors and their loved ones in attendance. Led by VPD officers, this workshop provided valuable insights into identifying, avoiding and reporting fraudulent activities.
Attendees found the information informative, practical and relevant. The interactive nature of the seminar including real-life examples and engaging activities, helped participants feel empowered and equipped to recognize and avoid scams.
A senior in attendance received a fraudulent call during the session on her cell phone and told police. Attendees shared their experiences of being approached by people trying to sell them fake jewellery outside the temple a few weeks prior. Sgt. Rita Raj said: “Distraction thefts are becoming increasingly common, targeting unsuspecting individuals in public places.”
Officers equipped seniors in attendance with the knowledge and strategies needed to stay vigilant and protect themselves from falling victim to these deceptive tactics. Understanding how distraction thefts work and the common tactics used by scammers to target their victims is essential. Sgt. Raj asserted: “Recognizing suspicious behavior and situations that could indicate a distraction theft in progress is key.”
Many seniors expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn valuable strategies for protecting themselves against fraud in their native language. Sgt. Raj said: “Language should never be a barrier to learning essential skills for safeguarding your finances and personal information.”
Don’t miss the opportunity to empower yourself and your loved ones against financial exploitation. If you are interested in hosting a VPD Scam Prevention for Seniors seminar, please contact Sgt. Raj at rita.raj@vpd.ca.
If you would like to attend a session please visit the Vancouver Police Foundation website at vancouverpolicefoundation.org.
(Report and photos contributed)
