Central Alberta
Bitcoin Scams Have Grown by 400% in Canada since 2017

The Central Alberta Crime Prevention Centre (CACPC) is aware of the growing number of Bitcoin locations in the City of Red Deer and surrounding areas. This is a cause for concern as Bitcoin scams have grown by 400% since 2017 in Canada.
Mercedes Messinger, owner of Messinger Meats, reached out to CACPC in the summer of 2020 because of her concern for the number of people experiencing fraud using the Bitcoin machine in her store. She had numerous people returning to the store after they have been scammed and demand their money back, which, of course, was impossible. She, and her staff, have saved many people from putting thousands of dollars into the Bitcoin machine by asking them questions like, “Do you know the person you are sending the money to?”, or “Do you know why you are sending this money?”.
In response to Mercedes’ concerns, CACPC came up with the solution, pictured here, which included the installation of a plastic screen in front of the machine with a decal that says, “STOP. PLEASE REQUEST STAFF ASSISTANCE”, as well as a rack card (brochure) beside the machine to educate users about Bitcoin fraud and providing reporting information for victims of fraud.
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BITCOIN:
- The following organizations DO NOT accept Bitcoin as a payment method:
– Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
– RCMP
– Government of Canada
– Immigration, Refugee & Citizenship Canada
– Utility companies
– Banks or credit card companies - Once you have deposited your cash into the Bitcoin machine, it cannot be reversed and is untraceable.
- If you are afraid to tell your family or friends about a Bitcoin transaction, or you have a “feeling” something is not right, it is probably a SCAM!
- If you feel fearful or threatened, you may be a victim of a SCAM! Often times, scammers will keep you on the phone while you withdraw cash from your bank and until you have deposited that cash into the Bitcoin machine to keep the pressure on and to ensure you act “immediately”.
If you suspect you have been the victim of a scam or fraud, don’t be embarrassed and keep quiet. It is important to report this crime as it may prevent someone else from becoming a victim. Here are the steps for reporting fraud or a scam:
- RCMP Non-Emergency Line: 403-343-5575
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Toll-Free: 1-888-495-8501, Website: antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
- If you gave out your Social Insurance Number or other personal information, you will also need to contact:
1) Your bank;
2) Equifax 1-800-465-7166 (After making language selection, say “fraud” or press 3)
NEED SUPPORT? Contact VICTIM SERVICES, Ph: 403-406-2345, Website: reddeercityvsu.ca
Over the next couple of months, the Central Alberta Crime Prevention Centre will be providing FREE posters to Bitcoin ATM host locations and encouraging business owners to hang the poster near their Bitcoin ATM machine with the goal of creating awareness and reducing Bitcoin fraud.
If you would like to learn more about fraud and scams, please visit our website at cacpc.ca. If we can be of assistance to you regarding issues of crime and crime prevention, please contact us at 403-986-9904 of via email at [email protected].
Business
Chief Clarence Louie and author Matt Tenney featured at Workforce Strategies Summit March 30 in Red Deer

News Release submitted by the Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP)
Prominent Speakers Keynote Workforce Strategies Summit
Two top caliber speakers will keynote the Workforce Strategies one-day summit in Red Deer March 30th. In the morning, social entrepreneur and “Serve to be Great” and “The Mindfulness Edge” author, Matt Tenney will share his leadership development and business success strategies. Tenney is a US-based consultant and trainer with the prestigious Perth Leadership Institute. His clients include Wells Fargo, Marriott, Keller Williams, Salesforce, United Airlines, and many other companies, associations, and universities.
In the afternoon, Canadian Speakers Bureau 5-star Indigenous inclusion, First Nation leadership and economic development expert keynote speaker, Chief Clarence Louie will share his experiences, lessons learned and business-smarts approach. Chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band for over 36 years, Chief Louie is one of six First Nations leaders to emphasize economic development to improve people’s standard of living. Under his direction, the Band has become a multi-faceted corporation that owns and manages nine businesses and employs hundreds of people.
Completing the plenary sessions will be two panels of expert speakers on “Embracing the New Workforce” including topics on diversity, GenZ, and immigration, and “Automation and Technology to Fill the People Gap“. The panelists include: Steve Miller, Implicit Career Search; Andrea Cassidy, Beyond Insurance; Nicole Arienzale, Fortis Alberta; Tonya Woolford, Xerox; Tom Muir, Poeta Digital; Jason Thompson, Warrior Supplies; and Dr. Joy Agnew, Olds College Centre for Innovation. The panels will be moderated by Stuart Cullum President Red Deer Polytechnic and Donna Purcell lawyer and owner of Donna Purcell QC Law.
Summit attendees can also attend private meetings with international recruitment agencies, lawyers, business consultants, and human resources professionals to discuss strategies specific to their organization’s needs. Employers of all types including non-profit organizations and cooperatives are invited to attend to learn more about attracting and retaining staff for their specific sector needs.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite or from the CentralSummit.ca website until March 24. Lunch is included.
Workforce Strategies Summit is hosted by the Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP) to help employers of all sizes gain insight and learn strategies for recruiting, hiring, and retaining employees. It is being held March 30, 2023 at Westerner Park in Red Deer.
Recruitment and retention related businesses including such as BusinessLink, Labour Solutions Canada, BLHR Consulting, C4ner Consulting, Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre, Camrose County, EPSS, Red Deer Polytechnic, Donna Purcell Law, Immigration Care, Digitex / Xerox, CRT Legal will be available for conversations in the business-to-business B2B Lounge.
Workforce Strategies Summit is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Community Futures Central Alberta, Olds College, Red Deer Polytech, Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network, Red Deer Chamber, Burman University, Fortis Alberta, and Canadian Immigration Visa Services. Donna Purcell QC Law, Pinnacle Communications & Media inc, Waste Connections Canada, Digital.ca / Xerox and JEDI.
Central Alberta
The kids need Umpires more than ever! Central Alberta Softball Umpires Association puts out the call for help

From the Central Alberta Softball Umpires Association (CASUA)
Become a Softball Umpire
The Central Alberta Softball Umpires Association (CASUA) is looking for new umpires to join their crew in 2023.
With a regular season and tournament schedule that gets underway in early May, CASUA is actively recruiting new umpires to cover minor games hosted by associations across the region.
CASUA works with minor associations in Softball Alberta’s Zone 4, and northern Zone 2.
Communities covered include Didsbury, Olds, Innisfail, Sundre, Elnora, Trochu, Delburne, Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, Blackfalds, Lacombe, Ponoka, Bashaw, Clive, Bentley, Rimbey/ Bluffton, Stettler, Camrose, Castor, Coronation and Consort.
Umpiring is a great part-time job for youths (12+) or adults looking to earn at least $30 for a ninety-minute game.
Regular season games are held on weeknights in May and June, and weekend tournaments offer the chance to work anywhere from 6-10 games in a weekend. In addition to earning money, umpiring provides the chance to develop personal leadership skills such as decision making, communication and dealing with difficult situations.
Without umpires, players would face the prospect of having people pulled from the stands to officiate a game where they are unfamiliar with the rules, diminishing children’s learning and enjoyment of the sport.
And then there is the worst-case scenario of not having anyone to officiate meaning “without umpires its just recess.”
Umpires are required to complete a certification clinic prior to stepping on the diamond. This year, the theory portion of the clinic will be offered online, followed by an in-person mechanics clinic.
Mentorship is offered by senior umpires to help new officials skill development.
Currently, a choice of four in-person mechanics clinics scheduled in April:
Saturday, April 1 in Rimbey
Saturday, April 15 in Red Deer
Sunday, April 16 in New Norway
Saturday, April 29 in Castor
Registration fee for new umpires is $100, which includes membership with CASUA, Alberta Softball Umpires Association, Softball Alberta and Softball Canada, insurance, rule book, the clinic (including lunch), a mechanics manual, and an umpire shirt.
For more information, or to register as a softball umpire, check out the CASUA website at www.casua.ca, or email [email protected].
Join central alberta
Softball umpires!
Umpiring – a great summer job!!!
FOR MORE INFORMATION – Website: www.casua.ca; Email: [email protected]
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