The Niagara Regional Police Service visited the Friends Over 55 Recreation Centre in Port Colborne, Ontario, in late March 2026 to help residents learn how to protect themselves from scams. Officers met with the local group to share practical tips on spotting fraud and to answer specific questions about personal safety.
The visit took place during the 22nd annual Fraud Prevention Month, a national campaign designed to help people recognize and report crime. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Canadians reported losing more than $704 million to fraud in 2025 alone.
Protecting local seniors is a priority because more than 26 per cent of Port Colborne residents are aged 65 or older, which is a higher percentage than the national average. Police explained that scammers often target older adults because they may have life savings or might be more likely to trust callers who claim to be in trouble.
Officers warned about common tricks, including romance scams and grandparent scams where criminals use computer-generated voices to sound like family members asking for money. They also spoke about fake bank investigations and emails that try to steal personal information or passwords.
The Competition Bureau of Canada notes that only about 5 to 10 per cent of fraud is ever reported to the authorities. Residents are encouraged to check in with their neighbours and report any suspicious activity to help keep the community safe.
