In the scam, a fraudster claiming to work for a bank, credit-card company, utility or the Canada Revenue Agency tells the target to purchase gift cards at set locations to pay off a debt or taxes.
A Nanaimo resident recently lost $15,000 to a telephone scam involving purchase of gift cards, a recurring fraud that continues to snag victims, say Nanaimo RCMP.
In the scam, a fraudster claiming to work for a bank, credit-card company, utility or the Canada Revenue Agency tells the target their credit card has been compromised, or that they have an outstanding tax bill that has to be paid right away.After the cards are purchased, the fraudster calls back at a specified time and asks for the 10-digit code on the back of each card, which allows them to activate the cards to get money from them.
“To protect yourself against this scam, there is just one thing that people need to know,” police said. “Legitimate companies will NEVER EVER ask you to settle a debt or pay taxes through the purchase of gift cards. It’s as simple as that.” Another person lost close to $1,500 to the scam, police said, and more would have lost money if not for the intervention of “astute and informed” employees of local businesses.
For more information on current scams, contact your local police or go to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nanaimo singer Lauren Spencer-Smith earns pair of Juno Awards nodsLauren Spencer-Smith of Nanaimo, B.C., is among the nominees for this year's Juno Awards, including for the artist of the year category. The 19-year-old singer who rose to fame after a stint on American Idol is up against established names like Michael Bublé, Avril Lavigne and The Weeknd in the most coveted category.
Read more »
Nanaimo RCMP seek man who threw coffee at McDonald’s employeeMounties are asking the public for help identifying a man who allegedly threw a cup of coffee at a McDonald's employee in Nanaimo, B.C.
Read more »
Nanaimo RCMP seek man who threw coffee at McDonald's employeePolice said the man threw the coffee after an employee roused him when he appeared to be sleeping at a table at the Bowen Road McDonald’s
Read more »
Nanaimo residents corner home intruder with gardening tools in real-life 'angry mob' sceneIn a scene straight out of a classic movie, residents of a Nanaimo neighbourhood banded together to catch a criminal last Wednesday, Jan. 25.
Read more »
Residents brandish garden tools to keep suspect for policeNanaimo RCMP received several 911 calls after a homeowner came face-to-face with an intruder.
Read more »
Nanaimo RCMP seek man who threw coffee at McDonald's employeeA man alleged to have thrown coffee at a McDonald's employee in Nanaimo is on the loose and police are hoping the public can identify him.
Read more »