LOUISDALE - No topic was off-limits as the branch manager for a local Credit Union and a member of the Richmond District RCMP co-hosted a special discussion forum on frauds and scams that specifically target senior citizens. 

Cst. Jeff Pierre and St. Joseph's Credit Union branch manager LeeAnne Marchand gave a run-down of fraudulent activities during "We Care Days," a series of workshops hosted by St. Louis Catholic Parish Hall in Louisdale on February 16-17. The topic was designed partly to tie in with Fraud Prevention Month activities that are running throughout March in Nova Scotia. 

In terms of phone calls or e-mails insisting that a person's personal banking information has been compromised or that a sum of money has been removed from their accounts, Cst. Pierre pointed out that the best course of action may be to contact the financial institution in question directly, and noted that in-person visits to these institutions are completely acceptable. 

"Whenever you get asked a question, whether it's face-to-face, over the phone or by e-mail, take a breather, read it, talk to the person, look at them in the eyes, and ask the questions," Cst. Pierre declared. 

"If you're not comfortable, and you need more information, take the time to do so."

Marchand, in recalling her experiences from her years at the Petit de Grat Credit Union branch, noted that even she proceeds with an extra level of caution. 

"I work at a credit union - I check my account twenty times a day," Marchand noted. "But that's not a bad practice to get into. And review your credit card statement over and over again."