The Kelowna RCMP have noticed an uptick in fraud and scams in town lately and want to remind the public how to avoid and identify these situations.

Three types of scams the RCMP have seen an increase in are: tap, communication, and online scams.

Tap fraud is when a suspect steals a someone91裸聊视频檚 bank or credit cards and makes purchases before the person notices. Many of these cases start when people leave their wallet or purse in their car and easy to steal.

91裸聊视频淣o matter how long you are away from your vehicle, it91裸聊视频檚 imperative that you ensure your vehicle is locked and there are no valuables visible,91裸聊视频� stated RCMP.

Communication scams are when people post as law enforcement agencies like the RCMP, Interpol, or Europol through email or phone calls. These people will often use the proper logo to make themselves look legit. Their messages to the people they are trying to steal from usually include:

• A fraudulent letter accusing you of criminal charges and asking you to contact them to avoid jail;
• A message demanding money to avoid arrest;
• An email with a malicious attachment they ask you to open.

Sometimes they also pose as employees of the Canada Revenue Agency or Service Canada and claim you have:

• Have a compromised SIN number;
• Have an outstanding case against you;
• Owe back taxes;
• Have unpaid balances;
• Committed a financial crime.

These scammers could threaten arrest, fines, or deportation if you don91裸聊视频檛 comply immediately. They often request payment via money service businesses, prepaid cards/gift cards (iTunes, Google Play, or Steam cards), or Bitcoin.

91裸聊视频淟aw enforcement or any level of government and financial institutes will never demand payment especially using gift cards or other alternative payment options. These institutes often threaten arrest via email or phone91裸聊视频� said Const. Mike Della-Paolera. 91裸聊视频淚f in doubt, contact the law enforcement agency directly.91裸聊视频�

Grandparent or grandchild scams also continue to swirl around the Okanagan where scammers target seniors, usually telling them their grandchild is in legal trouble (arrested, involved in car crash) and need a large sum of money for bail or for the situation. They often ask for the money to be wired without telling anyone about it.

Twice in Kelowna, the scammer has gone to the target91裸聊视频檚 house and taken the money in an pre-arranged agreement.

Ways to protect yourself from grandparent/grandchild scams are:

• Check your vehicles to ensure it91裸聊视频檚 locked no matter how short the stop is;
• Update and maintain strong passwords;
• Refuse overpayment cheques, ask for exact amounts;
• If a bank or company reaches out to you regarding a fraudulent transaction on an account, a hacked computer or a virus, be safe and hang up.

Anyone who receives a call like this is to hang up right away with wiring money or giving any information. Hang up, call your grandchild or another family member to find out what91裸聊视频檚 going on and then report the scam to the Kelowna RCMP and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre toll-free at 1 888 495-8501or by email info@antifraudcentre.ca.

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