A text message says a package is on its way. A phone call claims payment is due. An email asks for authentication. A person is at the door requesting a charitable donation.

It can be difficult to tell whether these examples are legitimate solicitations or scams.

An upcoming online workshop available to Brock University students and employees will discuss fraud and scam prevention, including recent known examples and tactics for protecting oneself.

Co-hosted by Brock International and Student Life and Success in partnership with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS), the Fraud and Scams Prevention Workshop will take place Thursday, Aug. 11 from 10 to 11 a.m. on Microsoft Teams.

The event will include speakers from the NRPS, as well as Brock Information Technology Services, Campus Security Services, Co-op, Career and Experiential Education, and Student Life and Success.

The workshop will cover a variety of topics, including:

• How scams can occur (over the phone, by text message, email and door-to-door).
• Safe online purchases through Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji and other online sources.
• Scam calls, including how to confirm caller identity and identifying common Canada Revenue Agency payment scams.
• Resources and support available to victims of fraud/crime.
• Online criminal harassment and bullying.
• Protecting personal identity, and the significance social insurance numbers play in identity theft.
• E-transfers and online money transfers.
• How being the victim of a crime or reporting a crime does not affect immigration status.
• Employment scams.
• Rental scams.

For more information or to RSVP for the workshop, visit ExperienceBU.

More information on fraud prevention can be found on the NRPS website.