Brantford Crime Briefs – 12Jan2016

Type: Break and Enter (Residential)

Incident: 1320-16

Location: Terrace Hill Street

Details: On Monday January 11, 2016 sometime between 2:20 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. unknown person(s) entered an unlocked home on Terrace Hill Street. A battery booster and cell phone were amongst the items reported stolen

Type: Fraud – Internet Scam

Incident: 1228-16

Details: On January 11, 2016 a Brantford woman became victim to an internet fraud.

The victim received a ‘pop-up’ message advising her that there was a virus on the computer. The victim paid $800.00 U.S believing that the virus would be removed from her computer. During the online transaction the scammer having been given access to the victims banking accounts transferred an extra $2,000.00 into her bank account. The fraudster contacted the victim telling her a tale of how he accidentally transferred an extra $2,000.00 into her account. The victim was able to view this transaction by checking her own bank account online. The victim then wired $2,000.00 from her own account to the fraudster. The victim then realized that the $2,000.00 had actually been transferred from her own line of credit account and not accidentally from the company on line. The victim lost just over $3,000.00 Canadian when the exchange is taking into account.

A virus can be received from visiting infected websites or downloading infected files. Never download files that have not been scanned for a virus and unknown to you.

Random companies, including Microsoft do not monitor if your computer is infected with a virus.

Ensure that your computer has an up to date firewall and anti-malware software.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM BEING A VICTIM OF FRAUD:

• Never give out personal information/credit card information to an unknown

source over the telephone and/or unsecured email

• You can stop a telephone scam by hanging up

• When contacted about your personal accounts never click on a web link attached

to the email to ‘verify’ or confirm’

• Confirm with family members or your bank before transferring any funds

• Never agree to give cash to anyone unknown to you in exchange for a cheque

Written to you by that individual

• Educate yourself by visiting the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s website at www.antifraudcentre.ca

If you have already sent funds and/or your personal information contact the police and your financial institution immediately. If you believe that you have been a VICTIM OF FRAUD and reside in the City of Brantford, contact the Brantford Police Service at 519-756-7050.

Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous are asked to contact Brant-Brantford Crime

Stoppers at 519-750-TIPS or 1-800-222-8477. Alternatively, a webtip may be submitted

at: https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.aspx?AgencyID=251

Crime Prevention through Education and Awareness””

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