No matter the police service, it is rare now that a media release does not reference a fraud or scam targeting unsuspecting individuals.
Recognizing the financial and emotional toll on the victims, even more so when the target is a senior, Elgin-St. Thomas-London South MP Andrew Lawton is hosting another in a series of public forums to inform residents on steps they can take to protect themselves.
This one will deal with cybersecurity.
So Lawton is teaming up with Jeff Wong of DAGI, a London-based IT support firm.
“He’s an internet and computer security expert, a session for basically giving people the tools they need. It’s a senior cybersecurity information session in St. Thomas, and I think a lot of people will learn from it.
Lawton continued, “And the thing about it that was most noteworthy is that so many of these problems emerged from a lack of, I don’t know if literacy is the right word, but a lack of awareness of what some of the threats are specific to computers and the internet. So we wanted to delve into that aspect of it specifically.”
The session will focus on:
• Raising awareness of common and emerging internet-based scams targeting seniors who use email or browse the internet
• Providing a practical steps to guard against cyber threats
• Outlining clear steps to take if a scam or threat is encountered
• Providing take-home materials to support ongoing learning and awareness
“And ultimately, stressed Lawton, “we’re just trying to make sure that people have practical tools and awareness because when phishing comes in, this is a really common thing.
“People don’t realize how sophisticated it could be that you think an email is coming from the bank and it isn’t. You think an email is coming from a loved one, but it isn’t. So even just being aware of that can help people.”
The seniors’ cybersecurity information session is to be held on Wednesday, May 13, starting at 2 p.m. at the CASO station.
There is no need to register, and if you need more information, you can call Lawton’s constituency office at 519-637-4130.
Written by Ian McCallum
