The Prince George RCMP are reminding you not to take the bait the next time you receive a fake email, phone call or text messages from fraudulent companies or people.
The methods vary, but the one thing these frauds have in common is their intent, which is to separate you from your money.
The message we want people to hear is just don’t,
says Corporal Jennifer Cooper, Media Relations Officer, Prince George RCMP. Don’t engage with the unverified caller; don’t follow the link in an email; don’t respond to the text message. Always contact the parent company yourself to verify the information is correct.
The local detachment has these tips for people to protect themselves from fraudulent schemes:
- Don’t be intimidated by emotional pleas that play on your emotions
- Always verify that the organization you are dealing with is legitimate before acting
- Verify charities with the Canada Revenue Agency
- Verify any calls from your credit card company by calling the phone number on the back of your card
- Don’t give out any personal information
- Protect your computer by having anti-virus software installed and up to date
- Be careful who you share images with
- Protect your online accounts by using strong passwords
If you are the victim of fraud, stay calm. Here are some important steps to follow:
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- Gather all the information about the fraud, including documents, receipts and copies of emails or text messages
- Contact your financial institutions and report the incident to the financial institution that transferred the money
- Place flags on your accounts and change all your passwords
- Report the fraud to both credit bureaus (Equifax and TransUnion)
- Report the incident to your local police and get a file number for future reference
- Contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or through the Fraud reporting System
