“Scams at Work: Spot the Red Flags” offers timely advice from OPP and industry experts
With new employees joining workplaces across Huron County this spring, the Huron Chamber of Commerce is stepping in to help businesses protect their teams—and their bottom line—from increasingly sophisticated fraud attempts.
The Chamber is hosting a free webinar titled “Scams at Work: Spot the Red Flags”, bringing together experts from the Ontario Provincial Police and HR professionals to share current scam tactics and what employees and employers alike need to watch out for.
“This is exactly the kind of role a Chamber should play,” said Colin Carmichael, Executive Director of the Huron Chamber of Commerce. “We act as a convenor—bringing the right people into the right room at the right time to tackle the issues that matter to our members. Fraud is one of those issues, especially at this time of year when so many businesses are welcoming new staff.”
The urgency of the issue became even more real for the Chamber recently, when a local organization shared that a brand-new employee—on just her third day on the job—fell victim to a gift card scam. She received an email that appeared to be from her board chair, and was instructed by text message to purchase and send gift cards. The fraud was only discovered by chance, when she happened to run into the real board chair in person.
“These scams are designed to trick good people by playing on urgency, authority, and inexperience,” Carmichael explained, “That’s why awareness and training are so important.”
The webinar will provide practical tips to help employees spot red flags, as well as clear guidance on what to do if a scam attempt is suspected. It is especially relevant for seasonal employers, front-line staff, and anyone onboarding new team members.
The event is free and open to all businesses, organizations, and employees in Huron County
