19 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | February 2024 can apply for the Boost Your Business Technology grant for up to $15,000 in funding. One eligible application of this funding is boosting business cyber security. What if you’ve been scammed? You don’t need to be the victim of a scam to report something suspicious. “If something is suspicious it’s im- portant to report it,” says Horncastle. “You don’t have to be a victim to report it. Flag it to the platform it’s on and report it to the Canadian Anti- Fraud Centre with the contact info and payment info they are requesting. Never send money or personal info if you believe something is suspicious.” If you do find yourself the victim of a scam, don’t be embarrassed. “A lot of the time people are embarrassed, so they don’t react right away. Don’t be embarrassed – it happens,” says Bouvier. “Contact your bank and credit cards and report them so they can stop any transactions. Contact a credit monitoring service so they can alert you if anyone is trying to take out loans in your name or any other suspicious activity. Set up a temporary credit freeze so that no one can set up a loan in your name, until you can take other actions.” Bouvier suggests having these steps listed as part of a farm protocol before a scam occurs. “Make a plan for what happens when the worst occurs. Then you don’t have to rely on emotions when you are all hyped up in the moment.” The scam should be reported to the RCMP so that a report can be filed. It should also be reported to the CAFC so that it can be shared with international law enforcement agencies and scam losses can be accurately quantified. Is it possible for producers to get their money back after being scammed? Horncastle says it’s unlikely, but it depends on a few factors. “The chances are slim, but it does depend on how the money was sent. If you used a financial institution or wire transfer, reach out to the bank about getting the money back, if possible,” explains Horncastle. Bouvier says it can also depend on where the scammer is based, as many are located outside of Canada. As scammers become more creative and the risks of fraud increase, pre- vention is becoming critical for the safety of farm businesses. Taking the time to become educated in cyber security and fraud prevention and taking extra precautions when making purchases or exchanging information or money can help reduce your risk. BF Avoiding scams ALBERTA ONTARIO QUEBEC ATLANTIC WWW.STRONGCO.COM Contact your nearest branch Farmer’s choice The all-rounder for agriculture Volvo wheel loaders are built to take on the tough work you face every day. Whether you’re hauling feed, moving animal waste or carrying hay bales, your Volvo wheel loader can do it all. EMILY CROFT Emily lives on a beef farm, raising Red Angus and Simmental cattle. She holds a Master of Science in Animal Biosciences, with a focus on ruminant nutrition.
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