18 It’s Farming. And It’s Better. Better Farming | February 2024 Avoiding scams Mental Health Training for the Agriculture Community AgricultureWellnessOntario.ca Individuals Sign up for one of our monthly virtual workshops today! Open to producers, agriculture professionals and community members. Groups Request a private training for your board, staff or membership. For teams and groups of 5-30 people. In the Know is a free workshop tailored to the agriculture community that increases understanding of mental health and wellness, normalizes conversations about mental health and reduces stigma. EMILY CROFT Emily lives on a beef farm, raising Red Angus and Simmental cattle. She holds a Master of Science in Animal Biosciences from University of Guelph, with a focus on ruminant nutrition. “A lot of the time people are embarrassed, so they don’t react right away. Don’t be embarrassed – it happens,” says Bouvier. Armit shared a publication by the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre detailing six steps to take if you find yourself a victim of a fraud or scam. Step 1: Gather the information relevant to the fraud, including documents, receipts, and communications. Step 2: Report the scam to local law enforcement and keep a log of communications and your file number. Step 3: Report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by phone or on their website. Step 4: Report the incident to the financial institution to where the money was sent and to the payment service provider. Step 5: If fraud took place online, flag it on the respective platform as “Report Abuse” or “Report an Ad.” Step 6: Place a flag on your bank accounts, and report the fraud to the credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion, to avoid any more money being stolen or lines of credit being opened in your name. 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. This ensures that critical response decisions are not driven by emotions during high-pressure moments.” 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. Armit explains, “The big challenge is the globalization of these frauds, which makes it challenging jurisdictionally for Canadian authorities to arrest overseas. The fraudsters have gotten proficient at using money mules and professional launderers.” With these challenges, education and prevention are the best tools to avoid fraud. 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
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc0MDI3