Resources

Here are some popular links and tools we share in our classes. They are in no particular order and are updated sporadically. 

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What happens to returned Amazon items? I gave some old information at one of my classes regarding Amazon returns. Here is a deep dive into what actually happens with Amazon returns from CNBC (click to watch). 

Fraud prevention toolkit for older adults from Canadian Bankers Association (click here for the pdf file).

Privacy focused search engine (alternative to Google): duckduckgo.com

Privacy focused email (free & paid options) and VPN: protonmail.com

You can enable free a email forwarding service that removes hidden trackers. I use this to sign up for newsletters or when I don't want to give out my personal email address. To learn more have a look here: https://www.spreadprivacy.com/protect-your-inbox-with-duckduckgo-email-protection/?s=em-gs

Anonymous, private Artificial Intelligence (AI) chats, that aren't trained on your data. Once you visit the site you'll just need to select 'Agree and Continue' then you can get started: duck.ai

Privacy report card for common websites: privacyspy.org

Handy tool to check if that number that called you really was the Canada Revenue Agency (about half way down the page): https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/scams-fraud/verify-cra-contact.html

Government of Canada cyber security info website: https://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca/en

Can you spot a deep fake? Give TrueMedia.org's quiz here: https://detect.truemedia.org/quiz 

Another deep fake quiz, this one from University of Kellogg School of Management: https://detectfakes.kellogg.northwestern.edu/

The AARP (American Association for Retired Persons) has some great tips for keeping safe online, visit their website here: www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/

Many years ago now the Competition Bureau of Canada published something called The Little Black Book of Scams, and while it is quite dated, much of the information and tips still ring true, so it's a good resource to browse. 

Most of the major banks have fraud awareness sections of their website, which offer some great tips to avoid scams, here are some links:

• RBC Cyber Security Checklist for Seniors
• TD Bank Fraud Prevention
• Bank of Montreal Security Alerts
• Scotiabank Protect Yourself from Fraud

Senior Planet from AARP has daily online classes on a wide range of topics, including many on how to use technology. Check them out here: https://seniorplanet.org/classes/

* While we try to keep this list current the web is ever changing -- so if you happen to find a broken link please let us know by filling out the contact form on the About page of this website.