(BRUCE PENINSULA, ON) –The Bruce Peninsula Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a call from an upset resident who lost $3500 from a telephone/computer scam.
On January 16, 2016 at 9: 12 a.m., police received a report from a local resident of the Bruce Peninsula Detachment area. The victim claimed they spoke to a male suspect who fraudulently represented himself as an employee of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Fraud Department. During their conversation, the suspect gained access to the victim’s on-line banking accounts. Two transactions totalling $3500 dollars were stolen from the victim’s account.
Police are urging the public to read and follow these safety tips:
Don’t give your personal information over the phone no matter who they claim to be. Call your company directly to ensure the phone call is legitimate.
Destroy personal information by shredding and cutting it up. Don’t just throw it out.
Never send money to someone you don’t know, no matter what the emergency is they claim to be dealing with.
Don’t use your bank account to transfer or wiring money for refunds or overpayments for someone else.
Research the business to ensure they are legitimate before paying for products or services.
Never reply or subscribe to email in which you do not recognize the name or company of the sender. Don’t click on links or pop up ads associated with these emails.
Legitimate companies such as your banking institution will never send you and email to confirm account details or personal information.
Install computer software to protect your computer from viruses, trojans or spyware in order to protect your personal information and programs.
Never enter your personal information or credit card information to any on-line sites that you are not sure is genuine.
Choose passwords that only you will know and change then regularly.
Keep copies of any receipts or services you have paid for.
Do NOT share your passwords or pin numbers with anyone.
For information on how to spot a scam and make sure you do not become a victim, please go to www.opp.ca and click on Fraud Prevention on the Resources page.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Center
www.antifraudcentre.ca
1-888-495-8501
Canadian Council of Better Business Bureaus
www.ccbbb.ca
Canada Revenue Agency-Charities Directorate
www.cra-arc.gc.ca
1-800-267-2384
The Bruce Peninsula OPP is requesting anyone with information that can assist police to call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web-tip at www.crimestoppersgb.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.