| Friday, M a rc h 3 1 , 2 0 1 7 | 6 Editorial Preventing fraud Defrauding someone of their money is like taking candy from a baby -- it's reprehensible. Good for the vulnerable for hghting back -- they should have all the tools they need to do so. Those we dub fraudsters or scam artists, who are the lowest of the low, often take the life savings or means of support from `nice' people, who are trusting and perhaps not street savvy. March is Fraud Prevention Month and it's a time when local police and government, consumer and volunteer agencies Canada-wide raise awareness and educate the public on prevention. Our community needs that information -- and many residents are actively seeking it. Witness a recent forum in Oakville. Quite a few residents, seniors particularly were interested in hnding out about fraud and how to prevent it. Halton Regional Police have been highlighting cases and tips and trends to help educate people about fraud this month. The forum, covered in a story on p. 7 of today's edition, continued that effort. Oakville and Halton are affluent dots on the global map and home to some very nice, community-minded, trust ing people. That m ix makes them a target and proves explosive when those nice people, many of whom have some degree of financial security, become the prey of fraudsters using technology that enables this community to be targeted from all corners of the globe. In days gone by, fraud involved personal interaction, but not so anymore, thanks to technological advances. However, like always people should be aware that the best defence is not in their device. It is putting their head over their heart. Don't let emotion rule the day. The most disturbing piece of the crime of fraud is that the perpetrators use emotion. In fact, they would not likely be successful without it, say police. So one of the biggest risk factors is not knowledge, or lack thereof, of technology, but old-fashioned emotion. Some of the common swindles include lottery grandson, service, computer, emergency, dating and romance scams, along with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) scam. All play on the emotions. These depend not on the con artist's ability to outsmart, but to connect with, their victim, say police. One of the red flags of a scam is mysteriously winning something. When you're excited, distraught or smitten, you may not have your wits about you. And don't be bullied for money. Even if a bill is due, it will be collected through written notifications that occur over time. And never give personal information over a phone or device. Don't let emotions rule the day. Don't disclose personal information. Keep your wits about you. Use common sense -- and go ahead, be skeptical. Oakville, and Halton, may be affluent communities with a growing seniors' population, but no one should mistake its residents for being an easy mark. For more information on fraud and how to avoid being a target for fraudsters, visit www.haltonpolice.ca. The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 or via email to ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. "C o n n e c t e d t o y o u r C o m m u n i t y " The Beaver. 5046 Mainway Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Classified Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 5 5 | Num ber 25 OAKVILLE BEAVER The Oakville Beaver is a division of w w w .in s id e H A L T O N .c o m | ·* m etrolandm edia · Connected to your community® Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. N EIL OLIVER Vice -P re sid e n t and Group Publisher o f M etroland W est KELLY M O N TA G U E Regional General M anager D A N IEL BA IRD Advertising Director A N G ELA BLA C K BU R N M a na g ing E ditor RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director LORI A N N G ZO VDANOVIC B usiness M anager M A R K DILLS D irector o f Production M A N U E L GA R C IA Production M anager CHA RLEN E HALL D irector o f D istribution Letter to the Editor M otorists m u st m ake room fo r cyclists on roads Despite several police complaints and multiple reports of aggressive driving and harassment from drivers on Trafalgar Road over the QEW, there continues to be daily dangerous encounters between cyclists and aggressive drivers at this location, both northbound and southbound. There have been some recent police ef forts to politely educate a small number of drivers, which, while worthy of mention, are merely a drop in the ocean (of cars)... The city of Ottawa, for one, has finally taken a step in the right direction. Short of a designated bike lane, is this not something we need in Oakville before the next cyclist gets killed? Phil C. Rosseau, Oakville C Y C L IS T S t a k e t h e K IM M O S S M A N C irculation M anager T h e i Beaver. Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations jSwojujSmji- Audit Board Member Recognized fo r Excellence by AW ^CNA Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association A c c r d d itd A c c r e d ite d f g * ? FDSA* M e d ia association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: O g- STOP HONKING! An Ottawa street sign. | subm itted photo /A p p JL \^i| | D e fe n d in gp rin cip lestoin sp irep u b lictru st Ontario Press Council Editor' s Note: The above letter was filed with Oakville Mayor Rob Burton and a copy sent to the Oakville Beaver. A response from Burton stated: "Your suggestion is a great one. I'll gladly take this up with Council." 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