FRAUD!

Fraud identification, reporting, and prevention were three key foci during the interesting presentation made at our noon meeting on Monday 19 January, by Sergeant Adam Gregory.

Sergeant Gregory represented the Medicine Hat Safe Community Association (MHSCA).

So how is fraud defined?

It is a wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.

Sergeant Gregory found that most Rotarians at the meeting had been contacted in several of the ways that fraudsters use to communicate with their victims: phone, email, online and in person. On invitation, members recounted their own experiences and those of family and friends.

Statistics provided facts and figures about fraud in Medicine Hat.

In 2024, the top five fraud types in our city were: computer, food, mass marketing, securities and transaction card. Over $2.2 million was lost locally to fraud related crime – up from $2 million in 2022 and down from $3million in 2023.

Sergeant Gregory provided many tips on how to be safe from fraud. These included:

  • Do not provide personal information. Legitimate places already have it.
  • Call back to businesses at their office number.
  • Do not provide down payments or full payments for a product or service without seeing the product or knowing the provider.
  • Ask lots of questions! Legitimate agencies/companies will have no problem answering your questions.
  • Only open links from known, trusted sources.
  • Do not allow someone you do not know, to come collect money from your house.

So what do you do, if you become a victim? 

  • DO NOT BE EMBARRASED TO REPORT IT! Reporting is important!
  • Notify your bank.
  • Contact the Medicine Hat Police Service to report it – 403-529-8400.
  • Notify Equifax, TransUnion Credit Report or Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
  • Veiner Centre Outreach for seniors – 403-529-8368.

Sergeant Gregory provided links to access various services, centres, bureaus and associations, including:

Fraud is rife. It was great having Sergeant Gregory in our midst to share the many ways we can prevent becoming victims, as well as what to do, should be fall victim.

We are better informed, thanks to your presentation, Sergeant Gregory! Thank you so much!