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4- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, January 19, 1999 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" * By Heather McCrae Port Perry Star Every year Canadians are victimized by counterfeit money or bogus credit cards. In 1998 the use of counterfeit credit cards here amounted to $143 million in losses, and that amount escalates each year. This was one of the messages inves- tigator Steve Schwets of Royal Bank Financial Group's corporate security branch told a small audience during a seminar at the Scugog Community Centre last Tuesday (Jan. 12). The seminar dealt with current fraud methods, how to detect it, pro- tecting yourself and your business from fraud, and what to do when fraud occurs. A retired police officer, Mr. Schwets now works for the Royal Bank Financial Group. The group is com- prised of the Royal Bank, Royal Trust, RBC Dominion Securities and Action Direct. His role is to investigate fraud against the Royal Bank and its clients. Last year $12 million was written on bogus cheques in the GTA. Many wonder how this could ever happen, he said. "Never leave signed blank cheques for an employee to pay bills," Mr. Schwets said. "And never leave signed company cheques in full view of the public or night staff, like cleaners, for instance." Debit card fraud is skyrocketing, too, he said; 99 per cent of debit card fraud is perpetrated by someone who knows the card holder. "Never give out your PIN number to anyone," Mr. Schwets said. He related*a story of how a son ripped his mother off by using her debit card and knowing her PIN num- ber. "He never could have used that card if he hadn't known his mother's secret code," said Mr. Schwets. "Never, ever give (the number) out, Le a Don't be made a victim Scam artists are Sverywhere, and thoy: re getting smarter, ex-cop tells bank seminar COUNTERFEITS ABOUND: Steve Schwets (right), a corporate security investigator with the Royal Bank Financial Group, spoke about business fraud at a seminar in Port Perry Jan. 12. Here, with RBC investment | advisor Robert Gow, he presents a display 'of counterfeits. [ESS Hi or you could be giving away your wal- let." Every year merchants and con- sumers are victimized by counterfeit money. Failure to carefully examine - money makes them susceptible to loss. On a genuine bill, the word Canada is in raised printing, and no two ban- knotes have the same serial number, said Mr. Schwets. The portrait is also lifelike, with fine detail. On counterfeit money, the printing has no raised effect. And bogus money often bears the same serial number. "Counterfeit money is shiny, but the portrait is your key," said Mr. Schwets. "Generally, it lacks detail, and the eyes appear lifeless, also." A rapidly growing scam method is the use of credit cards, either stolen or phony, said the speaker. "I don't see much of a problem with credit card fraud in the little town of Port Perry," Mr. Schwets said, "but you see more of it in the big cities." Counterfeit cards can be made by "skimming" information from stolen ones, he said. Counterfeiters can cap- ture all the information on a credit card and duplicate it in its entirety. they put it on bogus plastic, and away they go on a grand shopping spree," said Mr. Schwets. year, and business people should be on the look out for it, he said. If you are your Voice Authorization Centre and Schwets. "Leave that for the police." "Once they obtain that information Credit card fraud is increasing every suspicious of the card, the cardholder or any part of the transaction, call ask for a code 10, which will delay the person making the purchase until a police officer arrives. "Don't challenge someone," said Mr. Applications for Farndale bursary being accepted March 15 is the application deadline for the Kent Farndale Bursary for the arts. The Kent Farndale Bursary for the Arts was established in 1992 to provide financial assistance to residents of Scugog Township who wish to pursue a specific field of study in the arts. People of all ages are eligible to receive this bursary, which is awarded annually in May. The deadline for submitting appli- cations is March 15, at the Scugog Memorial Public Library in Port Perry. The whole community is enriched when aspiring or established artists take time out for further study in their areas of interest. Applicants may wish to take a workshop, attend summer school or take a college or university course. Areas of study may involve cre- - ative writing, music, dance, drama, painting, sculpting, weaving, or any other field of art. This year the bursary committee has been expanded from three to seven people. These members are pooling their efforts to reach a wider audience, | in search of greater numbers of appli- | cants and increased financial support. The committee is pleased to announce | that the bursary has been increased to $500, beginning this year. During her 10 year association with the Scugog Memorial Public Library, Kent Farndale established a well- respected and thriving art gallery with- in the library building. She introduced to the people of Scugog a broad spectrum of work from fine artists and artisans, with a new show opening every three weeks. When she retired as curator in 1992, . the gallery was named the Kent Farndale Gallery, in appreciation for a decade of her volunteer service. At the same time, the Kent Farndale Bursary for the Arts was established to encour- age the local artistic community. The fund is supported by donations from the public. "Art in its many forms is a constant inspiration. It is important to me that people are given an opportunity to capture a dream and pursue their creative ability," said Mrs. Farndale. Application forms are available at the Scugog Memorial Public Library and the Township Offices in Port Perry, as well as at local schools and colleges. For further information about applica- tions or donations, please contact Tom Bonanno, CEO of the library, by phone 905-985-7686 or fax 905-985-7210. The next two part training workshop to become a volunteer helpline worker with Distress Centre Durham's 24- hour telephone helpline will be held Sunday, March 7 and Sunday, March '14 from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. To be eligible for training, you must be 18 years or older and complete a telephone screening interview and a must be able to commit to two overnight shifts (midnight to 8 a.m.), from our central Oshawa location, for a period | of: one year. ph face-to-face registration meeting. You - Distress Centre seeks help line workers The Distress Centre carefully selects empathetic, non-judgmental, responsi- ble individuals and provide intensive training in active listening, crisis intervention and suicide prevention techniques which are of benefit per- sonally and professionally, not just on the phone lines. If you are interested in joining a vibrant team of volunteers and staff dedicated to helping callers throughout Durham Region to find their own solu- . tions to their problems, stressors and personal conflicts, call 723-4461. Cowon Far coming up in February Human Resources Development Canada is funding the second Annual Career Info Fair being held Feb. 24 and 25 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Metro East Trade Centre in Pickering. Preparations for the exhibition are under way and the event is sure to be a success. This innovative showcase of business will enable job seekers to learn about their ideal career. A Career Workshop with computer access will be available and trained job search professionals from the community will be on hand to help patrons create a resume, write cover letters, and perfect interview skills. Educational providers will be able to discuss the best academic options leading to specific job positions and volunteer agencies will be in attendance educating the public about their services as well as recruiting for volunteers. In addition free seminars will be given on a variety of topics and Human Resources personnel will be at the fair recruiting for candi- dates to fill full-time, part-time and summer openings. Take the first step toward finding a career that works and visit the Career Info Fair. Admission is free. For more information please visit our website at www.careerfair.org or contact Tanya Affolter at 905-725-6319.