Fraud and scams are a serious international issue. Chances are, if you have an e-mail account, you have seen some fraud and scams displayed to you in the text content. Most people just ignore the issue and delete the e-mails; however, this is the opposite of what should be done.

Types Of Fraud And Scams

• Law fraud (Wills and estates)
• Medical fraud (funding for illness)
• Identity theft (phishing web sites or stolen cheques/credit cards/debit cards)
• Business scams (oversees employment and pre-payment by Western Union)
• Lottery scams (Nigeria lottery scams)
• Securities fraud (stocks)
• Internet scams (pyramid scams, PTC/PTR web sites)
• Postal Mail fraud (opened personal/confidential mail)

Report Fraud, Scams, and Spam!

Spam is any mail solicitation that you did not consent to. If there is an “unsubscribe” link in the e-mail text, then an autoresponder is being used and you most likely opted-in onto a mailing list. If there is no unsubscribe link and you do not recognize the e-mail address, report the e-mail.

You can report scams and spam, even if you are using a free mail service. Remember to never directly respond to the scammer or spammer, as this will only put you onto an active e-mail list (loader list) and your e-mail address is then sold to other scammers or spammers. You only need to report the e-mail to your mail service provider. Instructions on how to do this are found here:

http://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/reporting.php

If you or someone you know is a victim of fraud or a scam, you know how stressful it can be. You are not alone. If you believe fraud is taking place in a local business or online, go to:

http://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/reporting.php

Once on the web site, click your country. All information is organized on the web site, including contact numbers, for your convenience.

Prevention is easier than discovery. This is a saying that I heard in one of my psychology courses. It is true! It is better to be safe than sorry, so follow these steps to protect your child against abduction.

1. You should know where your child is at all times. Be active in your child’s life and he or she will likely be more open with you.

2. Teach safety tips as early as possible, such as to come straight home after school, always walk on well-lit roads, never get into a vehicle with a stranger, and never enter a stranger’s home.

3. Teach your child his or her name, your name, the home address, and the home telephone number, as soon as your child can understand it. Also, make sure your child knows what 9-1-1 is and when to call.

4. Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, in a store, in a park, and so on. You cannot simply point to a stranger in a room and say he or she is a child abductor. Anyone can abduct a child, so ensure that yours is not an easy target. Do not leave your child alone to play in the yard, even if it is fenced in.

5. Educate your child about what child abduction is and how to stay safe at all times. Make sure you tell your child that it is okay to call you at any time of the day or night, if help is needed. Teach your child safety tips when you are not going to be at home, such as to keep the doors locked and only let family and friends into the house.

6. Discuss the dangers of the Internet and online chat rooms.

7. It is crucial that you know your child’s distinguishing features. Have updated photographs of your child, each year, in case you will ever need to show the police what exactly your child looks like.

8. If you hire a baby-sitter, make sure to have rules set in place, such as no company is allowed into the house and that the telephone is to be used only for emergencies, not to talk to friends. Leave emergency contact numbers with the baby-sitter.

Bank Robbery Statistics

Banks are robbed multiple times a day (based on the latest U.S. FBI statistics), so it is important that you understand how to stay alert and avoid putting yourself into further danger, if you fall victim to a robbery.

The majority of bank robberies are “note-passing” attempts. In this case, the bank teller is given a note from the bank robber informing him or her that a robbery is in progress and that the all the money should be handed over.

Banks utilize more careful, secure steps in making sure there is not much cash available. What you see in movies, where robbers get huge sacs of money, is not a reality.

Many robbers that are robbing banks have done the act in the past. The more they rob, the higher the chance becomes of getting captured.

Survive A Bank Robbery

Banks and credit unions provide bank robbery training to all their staff. Consumers also have the right to know what to do during a bank robbery.

Remember, money in insured at the bank, so only your safety is at risk. Let the bank robber have what he wants because the sooner he gets what he’s asking for, the sooner he will leave and then a post-robbery plan can come into effect.

Never try to stop a bank robber. It will likely escalate the situation and become far more dangerous.

Do not make eye contact with the bank robber.

Take a moment to visualize the details of the robber(s). Keep in mind what the physical characteristics are and what clothing is worn. Keep in mind what weapons, if any, were used as a threat. Take notice on the vehicle that the robber drives off in, even though it may have been stolen, and remember the direction the robber drove in. This will help you to give the police officers the best descriptions.

Sometimes a hostage is forced to flee with the robber to secure a getaway. Make yourself as less desirable of a hostage as possible. This means you should use emotions and undesirable bodily functions.

After The Robbery

After the robber has left the building, do not disturb any evidence, by touching anything. Remain where you are until you are instructed otherwise by the trained staff.

Do not talk to anyone about how the situation went because each person involved will have different details and this may change your perception of the events. Tell the investigators your details only and let them sort out the discrepancies. Be honest about what you remember. Do not exaggerate the situation to make it more appealing.

After a bank robbery, you may feel frightened to go into a bank again. There are counselors that can help you to overcome your fear and move on with your life.

What is ‘Whistle-Blowing’?

Whistle blowing is legally known as a “Public Interest Disclosure”. This occurs oftentimes in the workplace or at post-secondary institutions. The term refers to the act of disclosing information about a wrongdoing.

Examples:

1. An employee discovers that an executive is doing illegal conduct to gain profit, and then discloses this to authority.

2. A university student whistle-blows on another student for plagiarizing a report paper, even though this is a clear, written violation in the school’s policy.

3. A senior discloses to the City Hall that his neighbour is creating daily health dangers in his back yard that may impact the entire community if not stopped.

Who can be a whistle blower? Anyone.

Whistle blowing should not be used by someone, as a revenge tactic, to resolve a personal dispute.

The ‘Whistle-Blower’Act

The Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA), the whistle blower act, was produced to legally protect whistle-blowers from being dismissed or penalized, as a result of making a disclosure. This means that an employer cannot dismiss the employee – the whistle blower.

How to be a ‘Whistle-Blower’

Disclosures of wrongdoing should be made either verbally or in writing to an Assessment Officer, where an investigation may begin. Your case may proceed to a Disclosure Officer, where a number of actions may be available, including an informal resolution, disciplinary action, or referral for a more thorough investigation. The Assessment Officer will act as the point of contact for the person(s) making the disclosure.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is also known as domestic abuse, domestic violence abuse, spousal abuse, and family domestic violence. Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behaviours by one or both partners in a family, relationship, or cohabitation. The abuse can involve children and domestic violence, between two children or between adult and child(ren).

Many people wonder about domestic violence and what exactly the actions are that comprise of the abuse. The violence can come in many forms, including physical aggression, assault, intimidation, neglect, stalking, or threats.

— I am a survivor of domestic violence! —

You Will Survive Domestic Violence Too!

If you or someone you know is involved in domestic violence, there are steps to take to ensure a healthy, safe escape route. We live in a world where there are national domestic violence laws; therefore, domestic violence shelters are offered for those in need. Also, a domestic violence restraining order may be obtained, but keep in mind that some type of proof is always required.

Once a domestic abuse restraining order has been placed, the court will order a hearing. There will be a determination as to whether the alleged abuser has intentionally placed harm on the person seeking protection. The court may order a permanent restraining order on the abuser, depending on the evidence in question.

Remember to realize you are important. Don’t listen to your abuser. Oftentimes, there is a control struggle and that is why abusers intentionally belittle the abused.

Talk to someone you trust that understands your situation. This may include a close family member, a friend, or a local domestic violence support group. It makes a big difference to connect with other survivors than current sufferers. Clinical counseling is also a very helpful resource. You are not alone.

Life After Domestic Violence

What many people don’t understand is that when someone is involved in domestic violence, the human brain goes into survival mode. This means that many memories are “blocked out”. Once closure begins, this powerful wave of anger erupts, as a result of feeling scared, humiliated, and put down time and time again. After counseling, when I went to the police, that was my major turning point for my life. I realized how strong I really was becoming, after living my life behind dark walls. I was angry to later discover (by word of mouth) that my abuser believed he did nothing wrong and that he refused to get help. It continues to hurt me, emotionally, to know he thought he did nothing and continues to do nothing to get help and reach out.

If, after being removed from domestic violence, you feel angry towards your abuser for doing what he/she did to you, then this is a completely normal feeling to experience. It means that you are getting stronger!

Get your strength back and believe.

Take back what is yours- your future without violence.

What is Mediation?

Mediation, also known as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Dispute Resolution, and Conflict Resolution, is an alternative to trial. The parties involved must voluntarily agree to mediate, which means no one party shall be forced into mediation.

What is a mediator? The mediator, the impartial party, works with the parties to help them generate their own solutions in settling their conflict. The mediator is not a judge and therefore cannot make a solution.

Mediators are certified and trained from various professional backgrounds. They may include attorneys, social workers, human resources specialists, professors, and consultants.

Mediation is NOT a legal proceeding.

Is my Case Suitable for Mediation?

The majority of cases mediated are civil in nature. Mediations may involve disputes between landlords and tenants, family members, juvenile offenders, employers and employees, and community members.
If the parties wish to settle a disagreement without going to court or if a relationship will be compromised, mediation is a good choice. Mediation is an option even if you are thinking about taking your case to court. Settlement may be the wiser choice than to go through with court proceedings.

Mediation is oftentimes a better choice if the parties cannot afford the time and expense that would otherwise be associated with litigation.

What is the Mediator’s Role?

The mediator facilitates communication between the parties involved in the dispute. As already mentioned, a mediator does not impose solutions.

Mediators do not advise parties or take sides. There is no judgment on the mediator’s part. Instead, the mediator will work with all the involved parties to help them reach a mutually acceptable resolution.

How Long Does Mediation Take?

There is no time limit set on a mediation session, as this is determined by the nature of the dispute and the issues to be resolved by the parties. Some mediations may take only twenty minutes, while others may take up to five hours.

Where Does Mediation Take Place?

To mediate, contact your local mediation and dispute center. Court programs provide mediation, as well as church groups. This depends on the scope of your dispute and the area in which you reside in.

Preparing four your court appearance may be a very stressful matter.

Whether you have a lawyer or not, it may be helpful to do some work in advance of your court hearing.

To prepare yourself, do the following:

• Re-read all documents that were filed at the court registry as part of the application process. Avoid doing this a day or a week prior to your hearing because you’re just going to bring on unnecessary stress. Re-read documents well in advance and get any errors sorted out immediately.

• Organize all documents into a binder or file folder. Keep in mind why you are going to appear in court and the outcome you desire. Ask yourself how you are related to each issue. What is your position in the issue of this hearing?

• Prepare a detailed outline for yourself. Prepare all of your evidence so that the judge can come to a favourable decision. Collect documents you think you may need in court. Remember that hearsay evidence is not going to help you. For example, if you are in a hearing for settling a child custody matter, telling the judge that you simply are a good parent is just not enough. Where is the proof that you spend time with your child(ren)? For instance, you may gather entertainment and sporting events’ receipts to show the judge you always took your child(ren) to favourite events and places.

• Make three (3) copies of documents. One copy will be for you and your attorney, one copy for the opposing legal counsel or opposing party, and one copy will be for the judge.

• Always arrive early for your court appearance. It is recommended that you arrive 20 to 30 minutes prior to the scheduled hearing time. This allows you to ensure everything is in correct order and that any questions are answered beforehand. You may also need to discuss an issue with your legal counsel, so your early arrival will eliminate the feeling of being rushed. At the courthouse, there will be a daily hearing list that indicates which courtroom will hear your case. Quietly wait outside of the doors to the courtroom you will enter.

• During your hearing, you will need a note pad and a pen. This way, if a question comes up, you can write them down, because when the opposing party or legal counsel is talking to the judge, there will be no interruptions. Both sides to the case will have a turn to talk.

• Turn off all electronic devices before you enter the court. Don’t even put your cellular phone on vibrate. Turn your phone off. Do not chew gum or have a candy in your mouth during your court hearing.

• Dress good and make sure your clothes are free of stains, tears, and/or bad odors. You want to look and feel confident, even if you have hired a lawyer.

Remember, this is only a basic guideline to prepare you for your first court hearing.

If you hired legal counsel, you will be given instructions on what to do.

When you are heading into a convenience store, how often to you look inside the store before you enter? According to the National Association of Convenience Stores, a convenience store that has a check-out counter out of view of the front to the store is 500 times more likely to be a target of robbery.

Gary Sikorski, a retired police officer, shared his 10 seconds to safety tips, and I thought I’d pass this information on. Avoiding crime really is easy. These safety tips can be used to help protect you not just at the convenience store but at any store or building.

Follow these simple tips to keep you safe from harm:

Take 2 Seconds – Find a safe parking spot.

Take 2 Seconds – Scan the area before you exit your vehicle.

Take 2 Seconds – Scan the parking lot again upon exiting your vehicle.

Take 2 Seconds – Scan the store entrance.

Take 2 Seconds – Scan the inside area of the store, as you enter.
Follow these steps in reverse whenever you leave a store or other public place.

By staying aware at all times, you are increasing your chances of avoiding harm.

Blackmail is a crime that involves threats to reveal true or false information about a person, to someone else, unless a demand is met. The threats may range from physical harm, to the threats for purposes of profit.

It doesn’t matter how small you think the blackmail is, it is highly unacceptable!

If you’re being blackmailed, you need to deal with it immediately with these steps:

STEP 1

Never Act On Your Own. Whatever you do, don’t take the situation into your own hands. Don’t decide you should handle the situation on your own. Remain calm at all times.

Violence is never the answer to stop blackmail. Violence often causes the situation to escalate.

STEP 2

Talk To Someone. You don’t have to suffer alone. Talk to someone that is understanding of you and that you can trust. Clear your head and think about what you can do to make the situation better.

STEP 3

Set A Plan And Put It Into Action. Write down all the details of the situation and how you are feeling. Sometimes, people forget details during the time of questioning, so it’s important you note down everything you can think of. Call the police, when you are ready, and inform them of your situation. Do not leave details out, even if you are afraid or embarrassed to admit them. You will need to have evidence that you are being blackmailed. Once this is established, you may get a restraint order, if necessary, to protect yourself from future encounters with the blackmailer(s).

What is child abduction? Child abduction is the unauthorized removal of a minor. It is a parents’ worst nightmare to discover their child has been abducted.

The first thing you need to do is to try and remain strong so that you can focus on getting through the following:

Immediately call (911) and all other local law enforcement agencies:

Immediately call 911. There is not a 24 or 48 hour waiting period in child abduction cases. Contact the local Police Department, County Sheriff, State Police, or Highway Patrol. You may also need to contact law enforcement in surrounding jurisdictions and the Border Patrol, if you believe your child’s abductor has or is travelling out of your local area.

In rare instances, there is resistance. If you come across any resistance, you must demand to speak to the watch commander and insist that they immediately take a report and enter the information into the National Crime Information Computer (NCIC).

Notify the Federal Bureau of Investigation:

If you suspect a predatory abduction, notify the Federal Bureau of Investigation so that an investigation involving a missing child of tender years (a child twelve years of age or younger, even though there is no known interstate aspect), can be initiated. The FBI has assistance from various entities including the FBI Laboratory, where they have written protocols, solid resources, and dedicated agents.

Visit www.beyondmissing.com:

Log onto or refer the responding law enforcement agency to registered law enforcement agencies can immediately create and distribute Missing Person flyers to other targeted law enforcement agencies. You can log on or refer the officer that responded to your case.

Record Incoming Calls:

Your child may try to contact you, so it is important to have Caller ID and record conversations. If you do not already have Caller ID, get it installed immediately. Have everyone that your child may contact also have Caller ID and make sure they also record conversations.

Notify the Media:

The local media (television and radio) can announce the child abduction. This increases the chances for recovery, by raising awareness.

Contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Childrenat 1-800-THE-LOST.

Contact Team H.O.P.E. This is a useful support network for families affected by missing children. Contact this network at 1-800-306-6311.

If you believe that your child has run away: Contact the National Runaway Switchboard at 1-800-786 2929.

For more information on international and canadian child abduction, please go to:

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/publications/child-abductions_enlevements-enfants-eng