Media Advisory: Financial Services Commission of Ontario Kicks off Fraud Prevention Month in Toronto

TORONTO, Feb. 20, 2014 /CNW/ - Every year, thousands of Canadian families and businesses are targeted by fraud. For those who fall victim, the impact can be devastating: people's life savings, homes, and in some cases, lives, have been lost. One of Canadians' best weapons in the fight against fraud is education.

To kick off Fraud Prevention Month, media and members of the public are invited to attend St. Malachy Catholic School on February 27 at 6:00 p.m. where the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, Toronto Police Service and partner organizations will teach community members how to recognize, report and avoid common types of fraud, including:

• Insurance fraud
• Health care fraud
• Cyberfraud
• Identity theft
• Investment fraud
• Real estate fraud and
• Counterfeit money

To register to attend, members of the public should visit the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DontBeScammed. Note that media are not required to register.

The event will feature interactive presentations, breakout sessions and information displays from the following organizations:

• Bank of Canada
• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
• Canadian Health Care Anti-fraud Association
• Competition Bureau
• Crime Prevention Association of Toronto
• Financial Services Commission of Ontario
• Insurance Bureau of Canada
• Investigation Counsel
• Investor Education Fund
• Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada
• National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly
• Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services
• Ontario Securities Commission
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• Real Estate Council of Ontario
• Toronto Catholic District School Board
• Toronto Parks and Recreation
• Toronto Police Service
• Victim Services Toronto

Additionally, the following senior officials will offer opening remarks:

• Tracy MacCharles, Minister of Consumer Services
• Deputy Chief, Toronto Police Service
• Mark Stainsby, Senior Competition Law Officer, Competition Bureau

Joseph Khargie, Program Director at the 4life Foundation, will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

Following the event, representatives from several of the above organizations will be available for media interviews.

Members of the public unable to attend in person are encouraged to watch the event online and interact with participants by following the #DontBeScammed hashtag, starting at 6:00 p.m. eastern time.

This event is being jointly coordinated by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, the Toronto Police Service's 43 Division and the Toronto Police Service's Financial Crimes Unit.

Key Details

Don't Be Scammed: Fraud Prevention Month Kickoff
St. Malachy Catholic School, 80 Bennett Rd, Scarborough, ON
February 27, 2014; 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m

Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DontBeScammed

Infographic: Don't Be Scammed: Fraud Prevention Month Kickoff

SOURCE: Financial Services Commission of Ontario

Media Inquiries

Kristen Rose
Phone: [phone]
Senior Communications Officer, Financial Services Commission of Ontario
[email protected]

Det. Sgt. Cameron Field
Financial Crimes Unit, Toronto Police Service
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]

PC Randall Arsenault
Community Engagement Officer
43 Division, Toronto Police Services
Email: [email protected]