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Don't fall victim to fraud Halton police want to help people avoid becoming a victim of fraudulent schemes and scams. As March is national Fraud Prevention Month in Canada, Halton police are teaming up with government, law enforcement, consumer and volunteer groups, and private sector firms to share fraud prevention information and educate the public to prevent people from becoming victims of this increasing crime. "Each year, thousands of Canadians of all ages and backgrounds become victims of fraud. Fraud victims not only suffer direct financial loss, but may also endure the stressful process of reversing the damaging effects fraud and identify theft have on their credit and credit histories, which may take months to reverse," stated a Halton police press release. "Halton Region is a well-connected cybercommunity with many residents using the Internet to conduct their financial transactions and online purchases, consequently increasing their risk of exposure to cybercrime and identify theft." The RCMP recently released statistics about fraud in Canada: · About one million Canadians are victims of mass marketing fraud and identify theft in Canada annually, at a cost of $10 billion · Six in 10 Canadians are targeted by fraud · Nine in 10 Canadians do not speak to anyone about fraud and fewer than five per cent of victims contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (http://goo.gl/LX8RdS). · Nearly 80 percent of mass marketing fraud is conducted by organized-crime groups. As part of Fraud Prevention Month, Halton police's Regional Fraud Unit Card Team will be at a kiosk on Tuesdays at the following locations, from 10 a.m.-noon, providing prevention tips: · March 10: Burlington Mall · March 17: Mapleview Centre · March 24: Milton Mall · March 31: Georgetown Market Place The unit was at Oakville Place on March 3. The card team is a unit that responds and assists uniform patrol officers with occurrences such as debit card skimming devices (operational) or point of sale skimming operations (Interac). The card team is also responsible for other investigations such as fake or fraudulent cheques, counterfeit currency, theft of mail, telemarketing scams and identity theft. To officially kick off Fraud Prevention Month, the Better Business Bureau, in conjunction with the Competition Bureau of Canada, has released a list of their top 10 scams. A link to the information, along with prevention tips, can be found on the Halton police website at http://goo.gl/5640mZ. Anyone with information about fraudulent or any other crime can contact Crime Stoppers of Halton anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers. com or by texting Tip201 with your message to 274637 (crimes). The Dog Rescuers Inc.'s fifth annual Shamrockin' pub night fundraiser is next Friday (March 13). Held at the Bronte's Sports Kitchen, 2544 Speers Rd., it includes an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner (with gluten free and vegan options), live music, door prizes and a performance by the Irish Step Dancers from the Graham School of Irish Dance. It runs 7 p.m. until closing. Tickets costs $20 (drinks not included) and Shamrockin' for The Dog Rescuers Inc. can be purchased at-the-door by cash only, or in advance by calling 416-567-6249 or emailing info@thedogrescuersinc.ca. The Dog Rescuers Inc. is a volunteer-run organization that works with more than 20 shelters and pounds on a provincial level, as well as members of the public in re-homing abused and neglected dogs. It does not receive any government funding and runs by donations. 11 | Friday, March 6, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Juliette, Montessori Toddler. Current explorer, future trailblazer. Hillfield Strathallan College is an independent day school for Montessori Toddler and Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12. Join us for our Open House on Wednesday, April 1. Call 905-389-1367, or visit www.hsc.on.ca, for details. WE HAVE MOVED! Now Located in the Palermo Professional Building on the 2nd Floor! We Are Always Welcoming New Patients Custom Inground Swimming Pools One Company. One Responsibility. Serving the Halton-Peel Region 416-410-2066 · 905-319-7502 PalermoVillageDental.com 905.815.8888