RCMP Issues Scam Alert
Prince George, B.C. – A Prince George resident is out some loot after falling victim to a recent scam.
Prince George RCMP Cpl. Craig Douglass says it all started when the victim received a call last Friday from a scammer claiming to work for a major Canadian bank.
“The man requested the victim assist the bank and the RCMP with a fraud investigation involving transfers through the bank and wire transfer companies,” he says. “The victim was asked to make money transfers to help catch the fraudsters. The victim has been defrauded of thousands of dollars.”
Douglass stresses the RCMP would never use the public to assist with an investigation like this and though banks do have security personnel that investigate frauds, they would never request a client assist by transferring their own money.
If you receive a call like this asking for money police advise you of the following:
- Do not take immediate action. Hang-up and call the bank or government agency the person claimed to be working for.
- Know who you are dealing with. Obtain their contact information and search it on the internet. Often the contact info will be associated with frauds.
- Never give your personal information to anyone calling over the phone.
- Never agree to wire funds or purchase cash cards
- Wiring money is untraceable and irreversible.
If you are a victim of such a crime, Douglass says to contact the police. If you’re not a victim, he asks you to call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Comments
Wow are people ever dense.
One born every minute.
The loss is almost deserved if you’re going to be that naïve.
It is only a matter of time before there is a complete mistrust of all people. Sad to see things going this way. But with the story above we are still not to that point yet.
I got a very similar call last week. These guys are very organized and even have what sounds like a call centre backing them. I am glad my wife didn’t answer the call because it seemed tailored for her.
I wonder if the same people making the “How could someone fall for this” comments would say the same thing if it was their own elderly parent or grandparent that fell for this scam. The elderly are a common target.
Well said vikingnuck.
metalman.
I fail to comprehend the ignorance of some people and no, I do not mean the poor person that fell for the scam. I mean the ignorant people that write comments calling other dense, naive etc.
I work in the computer industry and see victims of scams all the time – The methods of scamming are getting very clever, the emails look legit, the phone calls are cleverly worded and the scammers are getting a lot smarter.
Why would you write comments that call a persons character into question when they are a victim. How would you feel if you or one of your loved ones became a victim? It can happen to any of us so how about taking a deep breath, showing a bit of compassion and stop being so a terrible person?
Just me two cents worth.
I believe it helps people hang onto the notion that this could never happen to them.
It’s cruel and judgmental and harsh and so unnecessary, but it must make them feel better about themselves.
Every single day I am disturbed by the lack of compassion and empathy I see online.
I received a call from “Microsoft” last week, I can’t recall exactly what she said but it was along the lines of my computer was infected and immediate action was required! I played along for a few minutes then said “This is weird because I don’t even own a computer” all I heard was “click”!
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