John Parkinson Foundation educating seniors on rise of financial fraud | #datingscams #romancescams

Article content

The son of a former Stratford resident has found a meaningful way to honour his father’s legacy.

Article content

In January, Dave Parkinson launched the John Parkinson Foundation to help educate seniors and their family members about the increasing online fraud and other financial exploitation targeting seniors.

Article content

Recommended Videos

Article content

“There’s an old saying out there that no man dies until the last person on earth ceases to speak their name, so we wanted to keep my dad’s name alive and do something that will help seniors and families of seniors. . . . Our family went through some experiences that made senior financial exploitation very personal to us,” Dave Parkinson explained.

One of the foundation’s primary focuses is helping people spot the red flags associated with financial exploitation, which has been growing steadily in the past 20 years as the internet has become part of daily life, Parkinson said.

“We’ve seen the rise of financial exploitation of vulnerable people and seniors specifically, especially now with these grandparent scams, these AI scams where AI is able to clone or mimic a loved one and contact a vulnerable senior in order to extort money from them,” he added.

Article content

Among the signs the foundation has noted in those being targeted are behavioral changes, such as a sudden reluctance to discuss financial matters, a withdrawal from family, friends and social activities, and fear or anxiety when talking about money or banks.

The foundation also warns to watch for financial irregularities, such as large, unexplained cash withdrawals or transfers, sudden changes to wills, trusts or powers of attorney, and bills that are left unpaid despite someone having what should be adequate funds.

In 2025, Canadians lost more than $704 million to fraud and already lost $351 million in the first six months of this year. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre suggests only about five to 10 per cent of fraud is actually reported, meaning the actual amount lost is likely much, much more.

“People may be apprehensive about speaking about it, feeling that they’ve been duped. It’s important to report these things when they happen, and also to recognize the red flags before they happen, so you can put a stop to it before it begins.” Dave Parkinson said.

Article content

Born in Dublin, Ireland, in March 1930, John Parkinson moved to Canada in the 1950s. He was predeceased by his first wife, Joyce Mary Jennings, who died in 1972 when Dave, their only child, was just two-years-old. 

“He raised me as a single father with a little bit of help from his mother-in-law. He was always there to support me, and he was a good father. Nobody spoke a bad word about him,” Dave Parkinson said.

After first working for Dunlop Tire, John Parkinson worked for the Toronto Transit Commission, where he had a 30-year career. After retirement, he spent 20 years in New Hamburg with his second wife, Connie Ladion, who died in 2021 shortly after they moved to Stratford. After spending his final years in long-term care, John Parksinson died on Aug. 30 2025, at Greenwood Court at the age of 95. 

“He was a kind and generous man, and we wanted to keep his legacy alive by extending that generosity and kindness to others out there in order to prevent financial exploitation of the vulnerable,” Dave Parksion said.

While the foundation is currently working with banks and seniors organizations to help spread the word, it is also looking to host some events across Southwestern Ontario by the end of this year.

“It’s just part of our work to keep his name going, keep his legacy alive, and to ensure that other families out there don’t have to suffer the consequences of financial exploitation, especially in a time of grieving,” Dave Parkinson said.

More information on the foundation can be found online at johnparkinsonfamilyfoundation.org.

watwood@postmedia.com

Article content