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w at er lo oc hr on ic le .c a W at er lo o C hr on ic le | T hu rs da y, M ar ch 26 ,2 02 0 | 8 AWARD WINNING CLINIC | Doctor of Audiology • 550 Fennell Ave. E. Unit 16 B, Hamilton 289-768-6167 • 723 Rymal Rd.W. Unit 500 , Hamilton 289-768-8971 • 570 University Ave. E. Unit 905,Waterloo 888-907-1436 • 350 Conestoga Blvd. Unit B3, Cambridge 888-737-9976 • 168 Barton St.Unit 3, Stoney Creek 289-203-3256 • 1144Wilson St.W. Unit D203,Ancaster 289-203-3195 Auburn and Mountain Hearing Centres have developed a Tinnitus Assessment Protocol which incorporates Subjective Tinnitus Scales;Audiometric Testing, and patient interviews.A treatment plan is established on the basis of the individual test results and specific goals of the patient. If you suffer from annoying, troublesome ringing or buzzing in your ears, call our clinic and ask for a comprehensive tinnitus assessment. Suffering from TinniTuS? we can help! BookyourappoinTmenTToday! 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As many citizens are hunker- ing down to help prevent the spread of coronavirus-related disease, one group has stepped up its activities: fraud artists. That's the word from the Ca- nadian Anti-Fraud Centre, which warned this week scams designed to take advantage of fears surrounding the spread of COVID-19 are cropping up across the country. "Fraudsters want to profit from consumers' fears, uncer- tainties and misinformation. Fraudsters are exploiting the cri- sis to facilitate fraud and cyber- crime," the centre said in an alert posted to its website. The scams range from callers claiming to represent cleaning and heating companies offering special virus-resistant air filters to supposed financial advisers with tips on "hot new stocks relat- ed to the disease," the centre re- ported. Some scammers are even phoning people to tell them they have tested positive for the virus, a phishing attempt to obtain health and credit card data. Po- lice have also received reports of door-to-door canvassers offering household decontamination de- vices, authorities said. The federal anti-fraud centre is warning people to be wary of unsolicited calls from people claiming to represent govern- ment or health agencies, or who say they can offer products that provide protection from CO- VID-19 -- including "miracle cures" such as herbal remedies, vaccinations or faster testing for the virus. It's also possible people may be targeted by fraudsters claiming to represent charities. "Don't be pressured into mak- ing a donation," the centre warned, adding, "Verify that a charity is registered" before do- nating. There is also a risk consumers may encounter fake or mislead- ing ads related to COVID-19. Scams reported to the Anti- Fraud Centre include: • Cleaning or heating compa- nies offering duct cleaning ser- vices or filters to protect from COVID-19; • Local and provincial hydro/ electrical power companies threatening to disconnect power for non-payment; • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization offering fake lists for sale of COVID-19 in- fected people in your neighbour- hood; • Public Health Agency of Can- ada giving false results saying you have tested positive for CO- VID-19 and tricking you into con- firming your health card and credit card numbers for a pre- scription; • Red Cross and other known charities offering free medical products such as masks for a do- nation; • Government departments sending out coronavirus-themed phishing emails, tricking recipi- ents into opening malicious at- tachments, or seeking sensitive personal and financial details; • Financial advisers pressur- ing people to invest in hot new stocks related to the disease or of- fering financial aid and/or loans to assist people during shut downs; • Door-to-door sales people selling household decontamina- tion services, and • Private companies offering fast COVID-19 tests for sale. If you have been a victim of fraud, contact your local police or file an online report at https:// www.antifraudcentre-centrean- tifraude.ca/report-signalez- eng.htm. SCAM ARTISTS CAPITALIZING ON CORONAVIRUS FEARS This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Alissa Eckert illustration JEFF MITCHELL jmitchell@durhamregion.com NEWS