Advocates call for resources as scams targeting Winnipeg seniors rise

Advocates for victims of fraud are calling for more resources, as the scams targeting seniors increase and become more sophisticated. 

Older members of Winnipeg are being targeted by scammers, fraudsters and criminals more and more.

Amanda Macrae, CEO, A & O: Support Services for Older Adults, an organization that helps seniors navigate the legal process after they have been scammed, said, “We have an aging population so unfortunately, it makes sense that we’re going to see more older adults become victimized.”

Macrae said her organization has assisted 320 older adults in the last year and that more people are needing their services every year.

Winnipegger Peggy Prendergast, 93, has been through a scam firsthand. She was able to get her money back with help, but it took a lot of work and says all levels of government need to consider how older community members are being targeted. 

“If they don’t pay attention to what people my age are saying how it affects us, then they’re not going to know how to get at the core of stopping it,” Prendergast said.

Lina Tinley, coordinator at Prevent Elder Abuse Manitoba, agreed with Macrae about the prevalence of the scams.

“Every time we go into a community, whether it’s in Winnipeg or rural Manitoba, at least half of the people who are in attendance, when you ask: ‘Have you been a victim of a scam.’ hands go up.”

Tinley said the targeting of older community members is not going away, saying more funding is needed to address the practice. 

“We see the need for continuing that conversation, and increasing awareness, growing. This is something that’s not going to get better if nothing is done about it,” Tinley added. 

The City of Winnipeg said in a statement it’s reviewing grant applications from organizations helping victims of fraud and expects to inform successful recipients in January.