Scamming the school survivors

First Nations targeted by marketers

Retailers see windfall in residential school payoutsFirst Nation communities are bracing for the possible fallout as lump-sum payments of up to $38,000 for residential school survivors begin to arrive.

With so many residents on reserves affected, more than $50 million will flow into some individual reserves.

That has officials fearing everything from fraud to scams that target recipients to increased drug trafficking.

Residential school survivors have already been targeted by retailers, including out-of-province dealers offering cars in return for a share of residential school payments.