Have you received intimidating phone calls from someone saying you owe money to the Canada Revenue Agency and that the police will be called if you don’t immediately pay up? Have you received a call from a grandchild saying they are in trouble in another country and need your financial help to get back home? Have you received very legitimate looking emails from a financial institution asking you to confirm personal information related to an account? These are some of the latest scams, especially designed to target older adults.
According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, “It’s not always easy to spot a scam, and new ones are invented every day. If you suspect that you may be a target of fraud, or if you have already sent funds, don’t be embarrassed – you’re not alone. If you want to report a fraud, or if you need more information, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.”
This is an example of some of the specific issues impacting older adults related to this year’s Seniors Planning Table priority areas: frauds and scams, abuse of older women, substandard housing, safety, and dementia support. The Seniors Planning Table has formed action groups related to each priority area to identify and address specific issues like this. Each action group is in the process of identifying in greater detail key issues to be addressed, the best ways of doing so and creating work plans with short and longer term goals and actions. We also have evaluation, communications and sustainability action groups.
Often, providing information and education is a key strategy. The Seniors Planning Table is very grateful to the Sunshine Coast Credit Union for providing funds to help with this. For the first time ever, we have compiled a fall listing of information/education events related to the Seniors Planning Table priorities.
The Seniors Planning Table operates under the leadership of the Community Resource Centre, with the financial support of the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation and the Sunshine Coast Credit Union. For more information please contact: [email protected]
