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WOmen’s Institut‘ 5 team up with Phonebusters to h 1p stop scams By Brandl Greater GB‘I'W sun Witter An hour well spent this Qmober could end up protecting your life sav- ing fium fraud . The Women's Institutes of Grey and Enrce Area ‘ue hosting informaâ€" tion meetings concerning the dangers of fi-arrdulont telemarketrng in rrud October in partnership with Phonebuslels of North Bay and the Federated Women's institutes of Ontario. r "Theideo had come up because there have been quires few floods in the area, such as Port Elgin and - Kincardin ” said Lois Freiburger. ident o I rues County district “men’s Inst: _ She continued to explain that pie have been taken for closem- 000. Gut speaker will be OPP ”' Detectivs Sgt Berry Elliott who has made hisilife’s work since 1991, to put telemarketing scam artists out of bushes; ‘- In V l993 Elliott established Phonebusters, a national task force that is based in North Bay. Fhonebtuters is part of the OPP anti- rackets branch and works with part- ners at the federal, provincial and pri- vate levels. According to the OPP, since 1995 there have been [2,000 known vic- tints of telemarketing fraud in Canada. 6,000 of them in Ontario. Thishas resulted in $40 million loses. 80 per cent of it horn victims 6|] years and older. "Students who go off to college are also susceptible and some have been preyed upon." said Ms. Freibtuger. Some ginunicls used by scam artists may Include con tulnring and gummeeing the recipient that they will win a prize if they buy some of their products. They may also ask the recipient to send money up front for shipping. Some scam anists will identify themselves as lawyerslcus- toms-ofiicers/police-olficers and will rell the person that you are entitled to a large cash settlement but need to pay ‘ the taxes in advance. i Deli Sgt. Elliolt will quickly walk audiences through the steps of how to ‘ handle a suspicious call, how to detect 1 fraud from real, when to give out a credit card number and when not to and how you are protected by credit cards. How to respond to con artists. where to turn for help and equally impoan how to detect when some member of your family or friend is being scammed. Some quick tips to remember when dealing with a simian where you are unsure include: If you have really won a prize, it doesn‘t cost you a dimer You do not have to send money in advance, at a caller’s request, to recover lost monies, receive an award or cash settlement. If you won a prize, you do not have to call any telephone number in order to claim your prize In certain jurisdic- tions it is illegal to request an up front fee in order to obtain a loan. The fall schedule will be a busy .one for Der Sgi. Elliott The Women‘s Institutes have set up meetings for him as follows: October l8 at 7:30 pm Meaford United Church, Meaford; October 20. 1:30 pm. Women‘s Instintte Hall. Colpoys Bay; October 20th 7:30 pm. Cheslcy Community Centre. Chaley; October 2i. 8:50 am, to [0 am. Grey Highland Secondary School, Flesherton ‘. October 2|, I:30 p.m.. Teesweter Town Hallg'l‘eeswater; October 21. 7:30 pm. Kincardine United Church. Kincardine; and October 22nd. 9:30 am. at Walkerton District Secondary School. Also Sgt. Elliott will be on CFOS 560 Owen Sound radio talk show on the morning of October 20m. Women’s Institute brahches have long been active in their communities working towards safer and healthier communities. This Women’s Institute fall initiative, working with Phonebustets, may very well prevent unnecessary personal trauma caused by telemarketing fraud and could help people now affected bring these crim- insls to court. If you think you are a victim or have any questions, you can contact the Phonebusters at 1-888-495-8501, fax them at (705)494-4008 or log onto their Website at: ‘ngovonrza/phonebusters". Women‘s Institutes welcome new members to assist in the challenge of “safer and healthier communities.” Call Lois Freibu‘rger for more infor- mation about Women's histinltes at 17‘ ‘ sci-9511. ' *ssfi l’OL§»l(