Stay Scam-Smart

Book a guest speaker for your group and get expert advice on spotting and preventing scams!

BOOK A PRESENTATION TODAY!

Looking to stay safe from scams? We offer fun, interactive, and easy-to-follow fraud prevention presentations! Our sessions break down common scams, share real-life examples, and give simple, practical tips to protect yourself and others. Whether it’s for your workplace, or community group, we’ll make learning about fraud prevention engaging and approachable.

Let’s work together to outsmart the scammer.

FRAUD COMES IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES

The best way to protect yourself is to stay alert and trust your instincts. Keep in mind that fraudsters rely on these sneaky tactics to get you to play along:

Exciting rewards

“You’ve won a prize!”

“This investment is a sure thing!”

“I love you!”

Scare tactics

“You owe taxes.”

“You’re going to be arrested.”

“A family member is in trouble.”

Playing on kindness

“Help us catch a bad employee.”

“Be a secret shopper for us.”

LEARN ABOUT OUTSMART THE SCAMMER

Cst. Berle Zwaan is in her 30th year of policing. She has served in Traffic, Mountain Bikes, Administration, Patrol, and the Child Abuse Team. She is currently in the Community Engagement Division after several years in the Detective Division as a Financial Crimes Investigator.  This is where she learned about the changing landscape of current financial crime trends and some of the skills she will pass on to you today.

Focus on Fraud, Stopping the Scam - Five minute Overview version produced by Rogers tv

OUTSMART THE SCAMMER

Meet Cst. Zwaan and get a small overview of what the presentation is about. Sessions are regularly updated and designed specifically for your group.

WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU STAY SAFE FROM FRAUD

Pause and take a breath. There’s no rush—slow things down.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Scammers love making big promises.

It’s okay to be blunt. Hang up, delete the message, or just ignore it. No need to be polite!

Take your time. Real opportunities won’t pressure you.

Double-check with people you trust. Talk to your bank, a family member, or a friend before making any decisions.

ADDITIONAL ANTI-FRAUD RESOURCES

There are numerous online resources to assist you with fraud awareness and prevention including:

Resources and Handouts

Click on the blue button to download the latest handout from presentations

  • Created with permission from Alan Perry who gets the credit for developing this password creation technique. See his website for more technology tips at Tech-Talk.ca as listed in Resources.

  • Some of tips to remember to help you stay calm.

  • Some easy and practical tips and steps to keep yourself, your devices, and information safer.

Testimonials from Community Members

  • “I have had the most positive response from clients from your presentation than ANY other presentation we’ve done. So once again thank you!" 

    Bruce Cafferky - RBC Dominion Securities Inc - Cafferky Private Wealth

    https://ca.rbcwealthmanagement.com/web/bruce.cafferky/our-team

  • “When it comes to choosing a presenter on online fraud prevention, it's essential to find someone with both real-world experience and professional expertise. Berle is that person. She brings a strong investigative background in policing as a past fraud investigator, and pairs it with a unique ability to connect with her audience in a way that is enlightening, not frightening. If knowledge is power, Berle empowers her audience with the understanding and tools they need to prevent this crime from happening to them.” @thebarn32 GREAT resource #digitalliteracy #onlinesafety #seniors

    Darren Laur | M.O.M , M.G.C., CCHT 
    The White Hatter
    (He/Him)

    phone: 250-478-9119

    email: contact@thewhitehatter.ca

    site: www.thewhitehatter.ca

  • "Fraud, scams and identity theft are a constant threat today and are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Berle Zwaan of Outsmart the Scammer Fraud Prevention Society provides an excellent presentation with practical tips and up-to-date information on how to protect yourself and beat the fraudsters." Greater Victoria Police Victim Services has worked in partnership with Outsmart the Scammer Fraud Prevention Society to provide a number of presentations in our community through grant funding from the Victoria Foundation and Department of Justice Canada/Victims and Survivors of Crime Week 2025.

    Karyn French, Executive Director Greater Victoria Police Victim Services

    Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/GVPVS

    https://www.instagram.com/victim_services/

    https://twitter.com/GVPVS

    https://www.facebook.com/TheVictoriaFoundation

    https://www.instagram.com/victoriafoundation/

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-victoria-foundation/