The Manitoba Securities Commission, the RCMP, Age & Opportunity, Consumers’ Association of Canada and the Consumers’ Bureau are pleased to launch a new DVD, Fact or Fraud: the truth about scams and fraud in Manitoba and accompanying facilitator’s guide.
Manitobans Have A Powerful New Tool to Fight Scams and Frauds
Winnipeg, MB, June 11, 2008- A young man unwittingly gives up his PIN number to an acquaintance; an elderly lady trusts the ‘honest’ door-to-door salesman; a young women faces social pressure in her church group to invest in a particular stock- all real life examples of just a few of the scam and fraud schemes currently underway in Manitoba. To help reduce the number of victims in the future, the Manitoba Securities Commission, RCMP, Consumers’ Bureau, Age and Opportunity and the Consumers Association of Canada have teamed up to produce a new 35 minute interactive DVD entitled “FACT OR FRAUD: the truth about scams and fraud in Manitoba”.
“The impact of fraud can be devastating,” says Gloria Desorcy of the Consumers Association of Canada Manitoba Branch. “Victims of fraud suffer a range of serious physical and mental ailments ranging from diminished trust, destroyed relationships, increased stress and depression,” she says. In addition to the loss of hard earned money, the RCMP estimates it can take an average of 275 hours to reverse the negative impact of identify theft. Desorcy says one goal of the DVD is to help viewers recognize fraud, identify the “Red Flags” of fraud, learn how to protect themselves against becoming involved and what to do if they have been approached to participate in or become involved in a scam or fraud.
“The information contained in this DVD is extremely valuable in helping Manitobans to protect themselves. It is also a very important tool in encouraging the public to report frauds and scams. Knowing the proper reporting channels can help regulators shut down a scam quickly before others become unwittingly involved,” said Don Murray, Chair of the Manitoba Securities Commission.
This compelling DVD has expert testimony from RCMP officers, investigators and social workers, re-enacted scenarios and victim statements that drive home the negative consequences of falling victim to a scam. A detailed facilitator’s guide comes with the DVD and is suitable for use by even those with limited familiarity with some of the scams and frauds outlined. The guide contains descriptions of the scams, discussion questions and articles and participant handouts.
Free copies of the DVD are available from The Manitoba Securities Commission, (204) 945-4733; The RCMP, (204) 983-2000; Age and Opportunity, (204) 956-6440; and the Consumers Bureau, (204) 945-3800.
About the Partners
· The Manitoba Securities Commission is an independent agency of the Government of Manitoba that protects investors and promotes fair and efficient capital markets throughout the province.
· The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is the Canadian national police service and an agency of Public Safety Canada.
· The Consumers’ Bureau administers consumer protection legislation for the province of Manitoba
· Age & Opportunity is a non-profit social service agency that offers life-enhancing services to older adults
· The Manitoba branch of the Consumers’ Association of Canada is an independent, volunteer, non-profit organization working to inform and empower consumers, and to represent the consumer interest in Manitoba.
Media Contact
Gloria Desorcy, Executive Director
Consumers Association of Canada Manitoba Branch
Phone (204) 452-2576
Cell (204) 998-3707