Debt Resources for Seniors in BC

The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) provides a range of services to adults who may need help managing their affairs, as well as their families, legal representatives, the courts and general public.

A person who cannot manage their own financial, legal and personal care matters is vulnerable in our society. Sometimes adults cannot seek the help they need because of an illness, disease, injury or other condition that affects their ability to make decisions. In these circumstances the Public Guardian and Trustee may assist with the decision making on their behalf, or the court may order that another person undertakes this.

The Adult Guardianship Act ensures steps are taken when senior abuse, neglect or self-neglect is suspected. The PGT designates agencies under the Act who are required to respond when a senior is experiencing abuse, neglect or self-neglect. For the designated agency number in your community, visit the Public Guardian and Trustee website.
Address:
Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia
700 – 808 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, B.C. C6C 3L3
In Vancouver the number is: 604-660-4444
In Victoria the number is: 250-387-6121
Service B.C.:
In Vancouver the number is: 604-660-2421
In Victoria the number is: 250-387-6121
The toll-free number: 1-800-663-7867 and asked to be transferred, free-of-charge, to the office you wish to contact.
E-mail: mail@trustee.bc.ca
The Website is: www.trustee.bc.ca

The Community Programs Branch manages programs and services for women and children who have experienced, or at risk of, violence. These include emergency temporary housing, counselling for women and children, and outreach including multicultural outreach services. Services are available to all women fleeing abuse, including older women.

The following services specifically address the unique needs of older women. Contact information for these and other services is available on the Ministry of Housing and Social Development website.
1) Transition House:
South Surrey – Atira Women’s Resource Society, Ama House: 604-542-5992
2) Safe Homes:
Victoria – Victoria Women’s Transition House: 250-380-7527
Victoria Crisis Line: 250-385-6611
Penticton – South Okanagan Women in Need: 250-493-7233
Creston – Kootenay Community Centre Society, Irvine House: 250-428-6856
3) Second Stage Housing:
Victoria – Victoria Women’s Transition House, Harrison Place: 250-385-2103
The Website is: www.gov.bc.ca/eia

The Assisted Living Registrar is appointed by the Minister of Health to protect the health and safety of people who live in assisted living residences. All assisted living residences in B.C. must be registered with the Registrar. Operators of registered assisted living residences must meet and maintain provincial health and safety standards.

For further information:
Address:
Office of the Assisted Living Registrar of British Columbia
200 – 1333 West Broadway Avenue
Vancouver, B.C. V6H 4C6
The toll-free number: 1-866-714-3378
In Greater Vancouver the number is: 604-714-3378
E-mail: info@alregistrar.bc.ca
The Website is: www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/assisted

The People’s Law School is a non-profit society that provides free and impartial legal information in plain language. A wide range of law-related topics are covered in publications and community events, including scams to avoid. The society also provides many of these services in languages other than English. They di not provide legal advice on individual legal problems; however, they can refer individuals to other sources of help.

For more information:
Address:
The People’s Law School
150 – 900 Howe Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6Z 2M4

In Vancouver the number is: 604-331-5400
Fax: 604-331-5401
E-mail: staff@publiclegaled.bc.ca
The Website is: www.publiclegaled.bc.ca

If you have a legal problem and a low income, the Legal Services Society (LSS) can give you legal aid. Legal aid includes:

• Legal information to help you work through your problem on your own;
• Legal advice from a lawyer who can help you work through your problem; and/or
• Legal representation (a lawyer to act for you) in court if you have a serious legal problem and no other way to solve it.

The particular services you can get depend on your legal problem. You do not have to be financially eligible to get legal information. You must be financially eligible for most legal advice services and for a lawyer to represent you. Many publications and some other services are available in languages other than English.

To find out what services you qualify for, contact your local legal aid office (listings are on the LSS website) or the LSS Call Centre.
The toll-free number: 1-866-577-2525
In Greater Vancouver the number is: 604-408-2172
The Website is: www.lss.bc.ca

Government, police and community partners in B.C. are dedicated to ensuring the safety of seniors through a number of local crime prevention programs. For information on these programs, call Victim Services and Crime Prevention Division or your local police.

Victims of crimes may be eligible for financial assistance and benefits through the provincial government’s Crime Victim Assistance Program, which helps victims of crime protect themselves and their homes, and recover from these experiences. In addition, the provincial government funds more than 150 victim service programs. These programs are run by non-profit agencies and police departments. They provide information about the justice system, practical help, emotional support and referrals to other programs and resources.

If you or someone you know is a victim of crime or violence call the B.C. government’s information and help line, VictimLINK:
The toll-free number: 1-800-563-0808
E-mail: VSDVictimsServices@gov.bc.ca
The Website is: www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/victimservices/ 
Victim Services and Crime Prevention Division: 604-660-3747

There are many things people of all ages, and in particular seniors, can do to maintain their personal safety. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia have listed some tips on a personal safety page on their website.
The Website is:
http://bc.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeld=87&languageld=1&contentld=1142

Abuse of seniors is a major societal issue. An action or deliberate behaviour by someone in a position of trust, such as an adult child, family member, friend or caregiver, that causes an adult physical, emotional or mental harm or damage to, or loss of, assets or property is abuse. This includes shoving, hitting or threatening, as well as financial abuse, neglecting care or giving medication improperly, and the taking away of rights. Many of these abuses are criminal offences, under the Criminal Code of Canada. If you think an older adult is abused, neglected or self-neglected and cannot get help on his/her own contact the Public Guardian and Trustee of B.C. (see above for contact info).

Consumer Protection B.C. (formerly the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority (or BPCPA) is a not-for-profit corporation that protects consumers and encourages a fair marketplace in British Columbia. B.C.’s consumer protection laws provide the framework to help the BPCPA protect consumers. Through its website and toll-free inquiry line, Consumer Protection B.C. provides the public with information on how to become more informed consumers and assists callers with concerns around their consumer transactions.

To improve consumer protection, Consumer Protection B.C. licences the travel industry, the debt collection industry, segments of the telemarketing industry and the cremation/interment/funeral services industry, as well as classifying general release motion pictures. Other industries that fall under Consumer Protection B.C.’s jurisdiction include payday loans and home inspections.

Consumer Protection B.C. is also responsible for the administration of the Travel Assurance Fund (TAF). The TAF is a fund of last resort which provides compensation for travel services paid for, but not received, when those services are obtained from a licensed B.C. travel agency. Consumer Protection B.C. offers complaint resolution and referrals through a toll free B.C. inquiry centre.

For more information:
Address:
Consumer Protection B.C.
P.O. Box 9244
Victoria, B.C. V8W 9J2
The toll-free number: 1-888-564-9963
In Greater Vancouver the number is: 604-320-1667
Fax (in Victoria): 250-920-7181
The Website is: www.consumerprotectionbc.ca

The Motor Vehicle Sales Authority of British Columbia is a not-for-profit independent agency created by legislation to administer the Motor Dealer Act, prescribed sections of the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act and related regulations under those Acts.

The VSA licenses and regulates more than 1,700 motor dealers and over 7,000 sales professionals. The VSA Learning Division conducts mandatory certification courses for all persons who directly deal with consumers in retail vehicle sales in B.C.

The VSA oversees consumer protection legislation applicable to licensed motor dealers including standard setting and enforcement, complaint resolution, consumer protection and public industry education. The goal is a respected motor dealer industry serving an informed and confident public.

There are many things that a consumer should know before buying a new or used vehicle, and the VSA provides the tools and information to help the consumer make an informed buying decision.

For more information:
The toll-free number: 1-877-294-9889
In Vancouver the number is: 604-574-5050
Fax: 604-294-9313
E-mail: enquiry@mvsabc.com
The Website is www.vehiclesalesauthority.com

The B.C. Centre to Eliminate Abuse of Seniors (BC CEAS) provides information, training, community development and materials on abuse and neglect of seniors to individuals, community agencies and organizations. The society also offers information on services and support groups available to seniors who have experienced abuse.

An information and referral line offers legal information, referral and legal advocacy to seniors, community agencies, organizations, victims’ services and others throughout the province.

For further information:
Address:
B.C. CEAS
411 Dunsmuir Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1X4

The toll-free number: 1-866-437-1940
In Greater Vancouver the number is: 604-437-1940
Fax: 604-437-1929
E-mail: ceas@telus.net
The Website is: www.bcceas.ca 

Many older British Columbians have lost their life savings to risky or dangerous investments because they did not understand the risks, ask the right questions, do independent research or get a second opinion.

Con artists design sales pitches to deceive people, sometimes guaranteeing high returns on an investment or telling them that this is an investment opportunity of a lifetime. These types of pressure tactics can lead a person to make an impulsive, emotional or irrational investment decision. If you encounter a sales pitch that sounds too good to be true, stop. Think about it. Start asking some questions.

InvestRight and the B.C. Securities Commission (or BCSC) can help you answer questions about unsuitable investments, scams and investment planning. The InvestRight website is a one-stop resource for investors to educate themselves on how to make informed investment decisions. It provides a wide range of tools to help investors develop the critical thinking skills they need to protect themselves and make informed investment decisions.

The BCSC is an independent provincial government agency that protects investors and fosters efficient capital markets by:

• Setting the rules for securities trading in B.C.;
• Making sure people comply with those rules and take enforcement action when necessary; and
• Providing a consumer-friendly investor education program called InvestRight that shows investors how to avoid fraud and unsuitable investments.

The BCSC’s Red-Flags communications campaign alerts investors to common sales pitches used by scam artists along with a province-wide seminar program. You can find investment information, report a scam and do background checks on financial advisers by visiting InvestRight.org. If you would like to book a free seminar or ask an investment-related question, call:
The toll-free number: 1-800-373-6393
In Vancouver the number is: 604-899-6854

The Website is: www.investright.org