Two people have been defrauded of over $34,000.00 recently in southwestern Manitoba.
First Instance
A victim received a telephone call from a person claiming to work for the Canada Border Services Agency. The caller warned that they had intercepted a package addressed to the victim. They claimed the package contained drugs, money and fraudulent documents. The victim recently placed an Amazon order and was awaiting their delivery, which made it believable and concerning.
The victim started to receive more calls from someone impersonating a police officer, and another call from someone from the Canada Revenue Agency.
The victim was told to send monetary payments to settle the issue, which the victim did due to fear. Once the phone calls continued for a few days requesting more money, the victim then realized it was a scam and reported it to police.
Second Instance
A victim received a telephone call from someone impersonating a police officer, claiming that a family member of the victim had been involved in an accident and was now at a police station. The fraudster advised that the victim send money in order for the family member to be released from police custody. After the money was sent, the victim followed up with another family member. Once the family members talked, they realized it was a scam and called police.
No government agency will request you send monetary payments to them by way of mail, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or QR codes. They will also not ask for personal information such as your SIN number. The scammers usually use pressure tactics and threaten the victim if they don’t pay forthwith.
Tips on how to avoid falling victim to a scam:
- No personal information should ever be given over the phone until you are confident about who they are. Look up the phone number to the police agency/government agency they say they are calling from and confirm it by calling there yourself.
- Police officers would never ask you to send money for your relative/friend.
- If you are unsure or questioning if the call is real, ask for help from a member of your family or a trustworthy friend.
- Verify identities or whereabouts of the caller, do your research and try not to make any quick decisions.
- Don’t feel pressured and do not send money before doing your own investigation.
- Don’t disclose personal financial information.
If you receive concerning telephone calls requesting money, please hang up and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online. If you believe you are a victim of fraud and have lost money, please report it to your local police.
Fraud: Recognize it. Report it. Stop it.
This article was originally sourced by the RCMP.
