Clicklaw Editor – Page 76

Mediation Advisors Now Available to Assist People with Civil Disputes

May 18, 2016 Clicklaw Editor Get help using Clicklaw, New on Clicklaw

By Mediate BC

Are you having a conflict with someone that you need help to resolve?

Unsure what to do or where to go for help?

The Mediation Advisor service can help you figure out what your options are and link you with resources to put your plan in place. Best of all, this service is available free of charge thanks to funding provided by the Law Foundation of British Columbia and Family Justice Services Division.

What is a “civil dispute”?

A civil dispute is a disagreement between any two parties outside of separation and divorce, personal injury, child protection or criminal matters. Some examples of civil disputes are workplace conflicts, landlord tenant issues, human rights, wills and estates.

If you are unsure whether your situation applies, call the Mediate BC office and we will help you identify if your matter is a civil dispute.

How can they help?

The Mediation Advisor can:

help you sort out the facts of your case,
identify the various options to resolve your dispute, and
link you to resources to put your plan into action.

The Mediation Advisor can call the person you are in conflict with and see if it is possible to resolve the issue over the phone. If further conversation about the matter is required, the Mediation Advisor can connect you with a pro bono or low cost mediator to assist with more in-depth exploration of solutions.

Other possible resources they can connect you with are lawyers to obtain legal advice, or community resources that specialize in the issue you need assistance addressing.

What if I live outside of the Lower Mainland?

The great news is that the Mediation Advisor is often able to assist people over the phone! You do not need to live in Vancouver or Victoria to access this service.

You can phone from the comfort of your home and the Mediation Advisor can assist you. This service is meant to support all residents of BC.

Where to Find Us

The Mediation Advisors are located at the Vancouver and Victoria Justice Access Centres. Phone to book an appointment at the numbers below:

Victoria Mediation Advisor
225 – 850 Burdett Ave
Victoria, BC V8W 1B4
Phone: 250-356-6128

Vancouver Mediation Advisor
290 – 800 Hornby Street
Vancouver, BC V6Z 2C5
Phone: 604-660-8406

Stay informed with Mediate BC:

Is that email a scam?

March 21, 2016 Clicklaw Editor Events, Get help using Clicklaw

Phishing is a general term for scam e-mails, text messages and websites designed to look like they come from well-known and trusted organizations in an attempt to collect sensitive information.

How to sniff out a phishing scam:

Phishing content is intended to trigger a quick reaction. It can use upsetting or exciting information, or demand an urgent response.
Typically, phishing messages will ask you to “update”, “validate”, or “confirm” your account information to avoid dire consequences, online or over the phone.
Often, the message or website includes official-looking logos and other identifying information taken directly from legitimate websites. Government, financial institutions and online payment services are common targets.

Preventive measures you should take:

Watch out for e-mail or text messages with urgent requests for personal or financial information. Financial institutions normally don’t use e-mail to confirm an existing client’s information.
Contact the organization at a telephone number from a credible source. Official website, back of your credit card, phone book or a bill.
Never e-mail personal or financial information.
Avoid embedded links in an e-mail claiming to bring you to a secure site.
Look at a website’s address line in your browser.
Regularly update your computer protection with anti-virus software, spyware filters, e-mail filters and firewall programs. Check out AV-Comparatives for reviews and reports of real-time protection antivirus programs.
Regularly check your bank, credit and debit card statements to ensure that all transactions are legitimate.

Fraud Prevention Month Events

People’s Law School is hosting an event on the Top 10 Scams of 2015 in Vancouver: March 29, from 12:00 – 1:00pm, at People’s Law School, 900 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC.

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is hosting a Twitter Chat on March 31 at 10am PST.

Follow CAFC @canantifraud to discuss their various resources on scams targeting businesses, telephone scams, scams targeting seniors/students, and vacation scams.

For more information:

Competition Bureau: Read more about Fraud Prevention Month.

BC RCMP: Information on email phishing, online fraud, fraudulent calls, police impersonators, rental scams, pin pad tampering, ATM skimming.

When I’m 64 – Scams (Video) by People’s Law School The When I’m 64 video series provides seniors with information about services, benefits, and resources available to them.

Fraud Prevention: Banks work hard to prevent their customers from becoming victims of any kind of financial fraud. The Canadian Bankers’ Association website offers tips on credit card fraud, debit card fraud, identity theft, phishing, vishing, and real estate fraud.

Government of Canada: The national list of Top 10 Scams was unveiled at news conferences in Vancouver and Montreal for Fraud Prevention Month. It was compiled by Better Business Bureaus in nine provinces with input from the Quebec-based Option Consommateurs as well as the Competition Bureau.

Author: Clicklaw Editor