Fraud

When a person is considered vulnerable, they can easily become a target for those looking to cheat them out of their assets, or to abuse them physically, emotionally, mentally for financial or personal gain.  As such, a person who is of advanced age, ill or frail must be vigilant to fraud. There are a number of resources and services available that can:

• help increase our awareness of fraud;
• help us protect ourselves from fraud; and,
• to know what recourse is available if fraud has been committed.

Report all fraud and scams to your local police department or contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1.888.495.8501.

Many communities in Nova Scotia have a Senior Safety Coordinator. As stated on the Nova Scotia Department of Seniors website, their role is to promote awareness about senior abuse prevention, crime prevention, and safety and health issues.  A listing of Senior Safety Coordinators can be found here, as well as the RCMP Senior Safety Guide

You may be interested in Fraud: What it is and how can I protect myself? in our 2015 Fall/Winter newsletter for caregivers, The Beacon. For more in-depth information, there is also a series of 8 fact sheets on financial planning and protection which includes these topics :

• Financial Planning
• Income and Benefits from Government Programs
• Managing and Protecting their Assets
• Planning for Possible Loss of Independence
• Planning for their Future Housing Needs
• Having a Will and Making Funeral Plans
• Financial Abuse
• Frauds and Scams
• Powers of Attorney (for financial matters/property) and Joint Bank Accounts

Understanding Senior Abuse is a booklet published by the Nova Scotia Department of Seniors which identifies abuse and offers tips on keeping yourself safe from neglect or a violation of your rights and freedoms.  It is also available in French.