Year End Updates
1.1 Vaccine Scam Alert: Check out this link for new information on scams involving vaccines.
1.2. Tips To Help Prevent Frauds and Scams Against Seniors
1. Do not rush into agreements that involve your property
or money. Take your time and ask questions. Get more than one
opinion.
2. There are no guaranteed "get rich quick schemes". If it sounds
too good to be true it probably is.
3. Be careful when signing contracts. Read the fine print.
Have a family member, friend or legal representative review it. Do
not agree on deals right away. Insist on time to get independent
advice.
4. Do not hand over money or personal information or sign anything
until you have done your homework and checked the credentials of
the company you are dealing with.
5. Do not rely on identification and/or a phone number produced by
a potential scammer. They often work in teams and may have another
scammer answering the phone number provided.
6. Do not be afraid to say "NO" and close your door or hang up
your phone. If someone is at your door, you do not have to let them
in and they must leave when you ask them to.
Never send your personal, credit card or online banking
details through an email. When buying online, print out copies of
all transactions and only pay via a securesite. The most important
piece of advice is get help if you do not understand what is
happening. Call a family member, friend, trusted neighbor, legal
representative, financial advisor or local police.
2. BC Recovery Benefit. It is a one-time, tax-free payment of up to $1000 for eligible families and single parents and up to $500 for eligible individuals (the amount is based on your net income on your 2019 income taxes). You have until June 30, 2021 to apply. [Please note, the system has been overwhelmed, so the process can be slow. Be patient.]
Currently, the BC Government is only issuing the benefit to those applicants who provide banking information for direct deposit. If you do not have a bank account, there will be a modified application available in the new year.
To apply online, go to: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/economic-recovery/recovery-benefit
To apply by phone, dial 1-833-882-0020. [Open Monday-Friday from 7:30am to 5:00pm. They are closed on statutory holidays.]
Posted: Tuesday, December 29, 2020
