TPS kicks off Fraud Prevention Month with community partners

Toronto Police Service News Release

Media advisory, Thursday, February 27, 2014, 6 p.m., St. Malachy Catholic School, 80 Bennett Road, TPS kicks off Fraud Prevention Month with community partners

Thursday, February 27, 2014 - 5:30 AM
Financial Crimes:  416-808-7300

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.

At 6 p.m. this evening, media and members of the public are invited to attend St. Malachy Catholic School, 80 Bennett Road, where the Toronto Police Service, Financial Services Commission of Ontario 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

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:

- Mitzie Hunter, MPP for Scarborough-Guildwood
- TPS Staff Inspector Mary Lee Metcalfe, Financial Crimes Unit
- 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 p.m. EST.

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

For more information, please contact:

Detective Sergeant Cameron Field
Financial Crimes Unit, Toronto Police Service
Phone: 416-808-7304
Email: cameron.field@torontopolice.on.ca

Constable Randall Arsenault
Community Engagement Officer
43 Division, Toronto Police Services
Email: randall.arsenault@torontopolice.on.ca

Kristen Rose
Phone: 416-226-7803
Senior Communications Officer, Financial Services Commission of Ontario
kristen.rose@fsco.gov.on.ca

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Victor Kwong, Corporate Communications, for Staff Inspector Mary Lee Metcalfe, Financial Crimes Unit