Summerside Police Services is hosting a free session on March 27, 2026, to help people in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, learn how to spot and avoid common scams. The event runs from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the CIBC branch at 475 Granville Street.
This session is open to any resident who wants to learn how to protect their money and personal information from increasingly clever fraud schemes. The meeting is being held as part of the 22nd annual Fraud Prevention Month, which is a national effort led by the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the Competition Bureau.
Official data shows that Canadians lost over $704 million to fraud in 2025, but experts believe the real number is much higher because only about 5% to 10% of victims report the crime. Summerside Police Services has recently dealt with cases like the “grandparent scam,” where a resident lost $6,500 after being tricked into believing a family member needed emergency bail money.
Police also want to warn residents about new technology, such as artificial intelligence, which allows scammers to clone voices or create fake emails to target local businesses. Officers will be on hand at the bank to answer questions and provide advice on staying safe from these types of hidden crimes.
