SnowbirdAlert Snowbird Special Events We regret to announce that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all special events organized by the Canadian Snowbird Association and the Medipac Group of Companies have been cancelled until further notice. These include Snowbird Lifestyle Presentations, Snowbird Extravaganzas, Winter Information Meetings, Snowbird Seminars and CSA Director Presentations. We have also stopped our distribution of picnic placemats in order to support the global initiative of reducing organized events for large groups of people. We look forward to the time when we can congregate in fellowship and celebrate the Snowbird Lifestyle with our friends, colleagues and neighbours. How to manage your finances in emergency situations Emergency situations, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, can be very stressful. You may experience loss of income and face difficulties in making ends meet. But there are things that you can do to manage your finances and make things easier for you and your family. Here are three useful strategies to get you started. Have a budget. Having a budget is key for all circumstances, especially when you’re trying to manage through an emergency. It will help you assess whether you can keep up with your bills and maintain your current standard of living. If you need help, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada’s online budget planner is a great resource. Be proactive by seeking help. If you’re having trouble paying your daily expenses or foresee financial challenges in your future, you can get help. A good first step is to contact your financial institution. Discuss your situation with them. They may be able to defer the payments on some of your credit products, such as your mortgage. A financial professional, such as a licensed financial advisor or an accredited credit counsellor, can also help you develop a plan to deal with an emergency. Borrow responsibly. During any uncertain period, try to avoid increasing your debt as much as possible. But, if you must borrow, only borrow what you need and look for products with low interest rates and fees. Make sure that you compare all of your options and their fees, interest rates and repayment terms before choosing a credit product. Learn more about how you can maintain good financial health during challenging times, at canada.ca/money. www.newscanada.com Protecting yourself from fraud during COVID-19 Safeguarding against scams can be a challenge. This is especially true during difficult periods, such as the one which we are experiencing now. The COVID-19 pandemic is creating a lot of uncertainty and worry – the very things upon which fraudsters thrive. Scams can include phone calls, e-mails and texts that seem to be from financial institutions asking for personal or financial information. If you receive this kind of request, be cautious. Financial institutions will never ask for personal information, login credentials or account information by e-mail or text message. If you are suspicious about information which you receive related to your banking, contact the financial institution directly before taking any action. Here are a fewmore tips to help you be vigilant during this unprecedented time: ▶▶ Never click on links or attachments in unsolicited or suspicious e-mails. ▶▶ Never give out your personal or financial information by e-mail or text. ▶▶ When banking online, enter your financial institution’s website address in your browser yourself. ▶▶ Beware of questionable offers related to relief measures or quick fixes. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. In the unfortunate event that you do experience financial fraud, it’s important to inform your financial institution immediately. You should also report the incident to your local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling its toll-free line at 1-888-495-8501, or by completing an online report. Find more information about identity theft, types of fraud and other threats or scams at canada.ca/money. www.newscanada.com 6 | www.snowbirds.org
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