Mr. Speaker, the alarming rise in scams targeting seniors is a growing concern in our communities, with a 300% increase in money being lost to scams since 2020. Across the country, criminals are preying on trust and vulnerability, and seniors are losing their life savings, money they worked for decades to earn.
In Cambridge and North Dumfries, I have heard heartbreaking stories of individuals who believed they were helping a loved one or paying a bill, only to discover they had been deceived. These scams get more sophisticated by the day and often leave victims feeling ashamed and isolated.
We must do more to educate and protect our seniors from these predators. That is why this Saturday morning I will be hosting a community town hall called “Inside the Scam Playbook”. It is focused on raising awareness and sharing practical steps for people to safeguard themselves and those they care about. Knowledge is the best defence. Understanding how these scams work before they happen can prevent devastating loss.
Together, we can stop these criminals and ensure that no one in our community faces this alone.