Latest news with #WEAAD
Cision Canada
16 hours ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Canadian Securities Administrators encourage Canadians to look out for deceptive social media investment scams Français
CALGARY, AB, June 13, 2025 /CNW/ - In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, 2025, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) is encouraging Canadians to connect with older adults in their lives to talk about the growing trend of artificial intelligence (AI) and social media investment scams targeting seniors. "Older Canadians are often the target of financial scams and, more recently, fraudsters have been using AI to make the ads appear legitimate," said Stan Magidson, Chair and CEO of the Alberta Securities Commission and Chair of the CSA. "By asking questions and starting important conversations about the warning signs of scams, we can help support the financial wellbeing of the seniors in our lives." Scams leverage AI to create seemingly credible ads and online profiles Scam artists commonly target older Canadians with fake investment opportunities online. Taking advantage of advertising channels through social media platforms, and the openness of people to new relationships fostered through dating or friendship apps, fraudsters can easily and quickly create online personas to deceive and manipulate potential victims with realistic-looking investment opportunities. The CSA urges older Canadians and their loved ones to remember the following tips: Avoid investment opportunities promoted online, especially those seemingly endorsed by celebrities or political figures or those that advertise lucrative, easy or quick returns. Imagery, video and voices can be easily generated with AI to look and sound real. Be cautious of online investing groups claiming to be run by investment professionals. Fraudsters will commonly direct potential victims to move their communications to chat groups created on WhatsApp, Telegram and Discord to keep conversations private and harder to trace. Be mindful of any new online connection, acquaintance or perceived love interest who asks probing questions about your finances or plays off your anxieties or fears when offering you an unrequested investment opportunity. All investment firms and their advisors in Canada are required to ask each of their clients to name a Trusted Contact Person (TCP). Sharing the name of someone you consider to be a trusted contact can help protect your accounts and give you peace of mind. Any individual or firm offering you investments needs to be registered with provincial or territorial securities regulators. You can check registration at but remember that images, voice calls and video meetings can be AI manipulated. It is strongly advised that you do not send money to anyone you have not met in person or whose identity you cannot confidently validate. Foster awareness and digital literacy AI continues to evolve rapidly, and so do the scams that use this technology. To safeguard your financial accounts and empower yourself and those you care for, the CSA recommends taking time to learn how AI is being used across the digital landscape for investing purposes. The CSA has a number of investor tools and resources available online to help Canadians become more informed investors. Investors can follow @CSA_News on X (formerly Twitter), @ on Facebook and subscribe to the CSA's Investor Alerts. Suspect you or someone you know is a victim of an investment scam? If you feel like you or someone you know has been approached or is a victim of fraudulent investment, contact your local securities regulator. The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada's provinces and territories, co-ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets. Ilana Kelemen Canadian Securities Administrators [email protected] SOURCE Canadian Securities Administrators
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Canadian Securities Administrators encourage Canadians to look out for deceptive social media investment scams
CALGARY, AB, June 13, 2025 /CNW/ - In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, 2025, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) is encouraging Canadians to connect with older adults in their lives to talk about the growing trend of artificial intelligence (AI) and social media investment scams targeting seniors. "Older Canadians are often the target of financial scams and, more recently, fraudsters have been using AI to make the ads appear legitimate," said Stan Magidson, Chair and CEO of the Alberta Securities Commission and Chair of the CSA. "By asking questions and starting important conversations about the warning signs of scams, we can help support the financial wellbeing of the seniors in our lives." Scams leverage AI to create seemingly credible ads and online profilesScam artists commonly target older Canadians with fake investment opportunities online. Taking advantage of advertising channels through social media platforms, and the openness of people to new relationships fostered through dating or friendship apps, fraudsters can easily and quickly create online personas to deceive and manipulate potential victims with realistic-looking investment opportunities. The CSA urges older Canadians and their loved ones to remember the following tips: Avoid investment opportunities promoted online, especially those seemingly endorsed by celebrities or political figures or those that advertise lucrative, easy or quick returns. Imagery, video and voices can be easily generated with AI to look and sound real. Be cautious of online investing groups claiming to be run by investment professionals. Fraudsters will commonly direct potential victims to move their communications to chat groups created on WhatsApp, Telegram and Discord to keep conversations private and harder to trace. Be mindful of any new online connection, acquaintance or perceived love interest who asks probing questions about your finances or plays off your anxieties or fears when offering you an unrequested investment opportunity. All investment firms and their advisors in Canada are required to ask each of their clients to name a Trusted Contact Person (TCP). Sharing the name of someone you consider to be a trusted contact can help protect your accounts and give you peace of mind. Any individual or firm offering you investments needs to be registered with provincial or territorial securities regulators. You can check registration at but remember that images, voice calls and video meetings can be AI manipulated. It is strongly advised that you do not send money to anyone you have not met in person or whose identity you cannot confidently validate. Foster awareness and digital literacy AI continues to evolve rapidly, and so do the scams that use this technology. To safeguard your financial accounts and empower yourself and those you care for, the CSA recommends taking time to learn how AI is being used across the digital landscape for investing purposes. The CSA has a number of investor tools and resources available online to help Canadians become more informed investors. Investors can follow @CSA_News on X (formerly Twitter), @ on Facebook and subscribe to the CSA's Investor Alerts. Suspect you or someone you know is a victim of an investment scam?If you feel like you or someone you know has been approached or is a victim of fraudulent investment, contact your local securities regulator. The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada's provinces and territories, co-ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets. For media inquiries: Ilana KelemenCanadian Securities Administratorsmedia@ SOURCE Canadian Securities Administrators View original content to download multimedia: Sign in to access your portfolio
Scoop
3 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Stand Up For Our Seniors: Age Concern NZ Marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Press Release – Age Concern Elder abuse is a serious and often hidden issue in New Zealand. Each year, Age Concern supports thousands of older people who are experiencing various forms of abuse often at the hands of those they trust most. On 15 June, Age Concern New Zealand will join the global community in recognising World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), a time to shine a light on the mistreatment of older people and to call for collective action to ensure dignity, respect, and safety for all older New Zealanders. Elder abuse is a serious and often hidden issue in New Zealand. Each year, Age Concern supports thousands of older people who are experiencing various forms of abuse — including emotional, financial, physical, and neglect — often at the hands of those they trust most. In the 12 months from 1 July 2023 – 30 June 2024, Age Concern was involved in 2817 cases of elder abuse. 88% of alleged people who caused harm were family members, of which 50% were adult children or grandchildren. 'Elder abuse is not just a private issue — it's a community issue,' says Karen Billings-Jensen, Chief Executive of Age Concern NZ. 'On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we urge all New Zealanders to learn the signs of abuse, speak up, and support older people in their lives and communities.' This year, Age Concern's theme is 'Spot the Signs'. It calls on individuals, whānau, community groups, organisations, and businesses to help raise awareness and take appropriate action. How You Can Help: Learn to spot the signs of elder abuse and how to respond. Check in with older friends, neighbours, and whānau. Support Age Concern's work through donations Attend local events during 15-22 June, listed on Share messages of support on social media using #WEAAD and #AgeConcernNZ If you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse, contact Age Concern's Elder Abuse Response Service at 0800 65 2 105 (weekdays 8.30am-4.30pm) or the national 24-hour helpline at 0800 EA NOT OK, for free, confidential support. Let's work together to create a society where older people are safe, respected, and empowered.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Scoop
Stand Up For Our Seniors: Age Concern NZ Marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
On 15 June, Age Concern New Zealand will join the global community in recognising World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), a time to shine a light on the mistreatment of older people and to call for collective action to ensure dignity, respect, and safety for all older New Zealanders. Elder abuse is a serious and often hidden issue in New Zealand. Each year, Age Concern supports thousands of older people who are experiencing various forms of abuse — including emotional, financial, physical, and neglect — often at the hands of those they trust most. In the 12 months from 1 July 2023 - 30 June 2024, Age Concern was involved in 2817 cases of elder abuse. 88% of alleged people who caused harm were family members, of which 50% were adult children or grandchildren. 'Elder abuse is not just a private issue — it's a community issue,' says Karen Billings-Jensen, Chief Executive of Age Concern NZ. 'On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we urge all New Zealanders to learn the signs of abuse, speak up, and support older people in their lives and communities.' This year, Age Concern's theme is 'Spot the Signs'. It calls on individuals, whānau, community groups, organisations, and businesses to help raise awareness and take appropriate action. How You Can Help: Learn to spot the signs of elder abuse and how to respond. Check in with older friends, neighbours, and whānau. Support Age Concern's work through donations Attend local events during 15-22 June, listed on Share messages of support on social media using #WEAAD and #AgeConcernNZ If you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse, contact Age Concern's Elder Abuse Response Service at 0800 65 2 105 (weekdays 8.30am-4.30pm) or the national 24-hour helpline at 0800 EA NOT OK, for free, confidential support. Let's work together to create a society where older people are safe, respected, and empowered.
