Police seeing increase in online scams

Nanaimo

2024-02-07 14:42 PST

File # 2024-3544

The Nanaimo RCMP wishes to advise the public of an increase in gift card scams and other related scams. In this most recent incident, the target did not suffer a financial loses but did have fake emails sent to many of her friends requesting money.

Many people spend the majority of their day online on various platforms. Hackers recognize this and will exploit this. Unless we are diligent, we are all susceptible to being scammed, said R/Cst Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP. Scammers may clone your FB page, obtain your email address or pretend to be a friend, business partner or a colleague. If you suddenly start receiving requests for money or personal information, alarm bells should be going off, said O’Brien.

The following are some common-sense tips to follow to help increase your fraud awareness and online safety

Spoofed phone numbers and email

• always know how you are dealing with. Phone numbers and even emails can easily be spoofed to make your think you know the caller. Do your homework before entering into any financial decisions

Fake websites

• scammers are banking on you making a spelling mistake that will take you to their fake website and not the real one. Double check the web address

Protect your online accounts

• only log into your accounts from trusted sources. Using a public computer to access your accounts is never a good idea
• create strong passwords and change them frequently
• do not reveal personal information over social media. You may want to brag and post a pic of you with airline tickets in hand for Mexico but this simply tells everyone your home may be empty

Romance Scam

• when someone you have never met professes their love for you
• they always have an excuse not to meet you in person
• the person claims to live nearby but work overseas
• they act distressed in order to guilt you into sending money

To report a scam or find out more about any number of scams, go to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center

Released by

R/Cst Gary O'Brien

Email: gary.obrien@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: nanaimo.rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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