Before
you fork over any of your hard-earned cash or personal info to someone
on the phone or internet, take a second to think about whether you're
being targeted by a fraudster.
It's
Fraud Prevention Month and Marissa Rignanesi of the Financial Consumer
Services Commission tells us a good rule of thumb to go by is the
old saying, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. She also
advises you to take time to make sure to read and understand any
contract or paperwork you're given before you sign it, and to be sure to
check if there are any license requirements.
Rignanesi
says if you realize you are being targeted by a scam artist, it's
important to report it, because while it may be obvious to you that it's
a scam, it may not be obvious to others.
The time change this weekend could be hazardous to your health.
10 to 15 per cent of us are sleep deprived already and losing an hour's sleep because of the clocks moving ahead doesn't help.
A study
in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2008 found the number of heart
attacks went up significantly in the three days after the shift to
daylight time. Other studies have found the number of traffic and
workplace accidents also go up in the first week after the change.
Dr. Adam
Moscovitch of the Sleep and Fatigue Institute in Toronto warns the
effect of that one hour change can last an entire week.
We'll get to enjoy more sunlight in the evenings when daylight savings time begins tomorrow.
People are reminded to set their clocks and watches ahead one hour at 2 am, or this evening before going to bed.
Watches
and clocks aren't the only items that need adjustment. Ovens,
microwaves, car clocks, electronic devices, and automatic timer lights
also need to be turned ahead.
It's
also a good time to clean dryer vents to prevent fires, and change
batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke
detectors should be tested monthly and replaced every 10 years.
There
was testimony at the trial of a senior official at the provincial
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture that corroborates Deputy
Minister Paul Robichaud's contention that he did not interfere with an
investigation of his brother.
Peter Andrews, a senior official in the department is charged with obstruction of justice.
Wilbert
Sabine, the head of enforcement with the Fisheries and Aquaculture
Department, told the court the decision not to charge Robichaud's
brother was made before a meeting between the Deputy Premier and
Fisheries Minister Micheal Olscamp. Robichaud has consistently denied
interfering with the investigation.
Former
Fisheries officer Gaeten Germain earlier testified he was told to drop
the charge after the meeting was held and he was later told to lay the
charge by a senior prosecutor in Bathurst because it was in the public
interest to do so.
Today is International Women's Day.
The
day was established by the United Nations in 1977 as a day for women's
right's and international peace. Canada proclaimed March 8th
International Women Day's following the move by the UN.
Back in 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.
International
Women's Day is an official holiday in many countries including
Afghanistan, Cuba, Russia and Zambia. In China, it's a holiday only for
women.
