Event date: March 23, 2017
VicPD is hosting a fraud prevention talk next week at the Esquimalt Recreation Centre as part of our efforts to help combat fraud during Fraud Prevention Month.
Frauds are a cause of significant financial losses and emotional hardship in our communities. In 2016 alone, losses from Frauds Over $5000 cost Victoria and Esquimalt citizens and businesses $1.6 million. The average loss for frauds of this category alone were $35,878. Yet, this category, Frauds Over $5000, accounted for less than 10% of the more than 470 total fraud files that were reported to us in 2016. To put that in perspective, frauds cost Victoria and Esquimalt more than bank robberies each year, and they’re not going down. Reported frauds went up 8% from 2015 to 2016. Nationally, these types of frauds are eclipsed by romance scams which cost Canadians over $17 million. Estimates suggest that fewer than 10% of these frauds are reported to police.
That’s why we’re hosting a fraud talk this upcoming Thursday, March 23rd at the Esquimalt Recreation Centre, from 7 pm to 8 pm. A VicPD Reserve will walk you through the different types of frauds that are being reported to us, what to look for to spot a fraud and how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. The event is open to all, but we ask that attendees RSVP so we can properly prepare.
When: Thursday, March 23, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Esquimalt Recreation Centre, Craigflower Room