Fraud/Cyber Fraud

Craig’s List Scam

It involves the scenario where an unknown male telephones the residence and identifies himself as an employee from the Government of Canada ” Do Not Call List”.  He informs the victim that they are on a “Do Not Call List” and that he wanted to remove them from the list.  The male explains that in order to block someone from calling you, all you have to do once you hang up, is to push a PIN number and that person is blocked.  The male tells the caller that they will be receiving a telephone call shortly to supply them with the PIN number and that he would return the telephone call later.

Victims should immediately use the Bell Canada security feature of *57 to record the last number before they receive the next call. Victims should try and obtain a name from the male and/or any accents or peculiarities.

After the initial telephone call is completed, the victim receives another call within seconds.  This call appears to be automated and there is an unknown female’s voice relaying a PIN number. The victim is supplied a number that is; 41859.  After this call, the caller should again use the Bell Canada Security feature *57 to trace the call.

After this telephone call the victim receives a telephone call from the unknown male who asks the victim for the PIN number.  Do not supply this number and simply hang up the telephone call and, again use the *57 feature.

The male explains that once the victim receives a call from these telemarketers, they simply hang up, and press the PIN number.

That is not true, once the victim gives this 5 digit number out to the caller, the culprit will then supply this number to Craig’s List.  Once on Craig’s list it will be available for ads and the telephone number will be associated to it, thus increasing calls from telemarketers. There is no cost to the victim other than a nuisance.

The victim must now contact Craig’s list and inform them of the abuse to have it cease. Craig’s list will abide by the request from the victim.

The victim shall use this statement to report to Craig’s List at ABUSE@CRAIGSLIST.ORG:   ”  I fell victim to a Craig’s List scam.  Please do not run any ads with my telephone number  (supply number) or this code (supply 5 digit code).  ”

After using the Bell Canada security feature, call LaSalle Police immediately so they may investigate the matter.

Internet Fraud Awareness

Internet Fraud Scams are on the rise and an increasing number of people are falling victim to them. These scams work very well because they seem real and often have some of your personal information, which may help them seem more legitimate.

Some of the more common scams are:

• You have won an overseas lottery and need to send information and sometimes even money to obtain your prize.
• An individual is leaving a war-torn or third world nation and have millions of dollars they are trying to bring with them. They ask for your banking information to wire the money to and promise you a large cash payout for helping them.
• A person contacts you after reading a for sale add on a website and offers to buy your item. They will tell you they are from over seas and could only obtain a money order or certified cheque for a sum much higher than your asking price. You will be asked to cash the money order and send them the difference and the item you are selling.

In all three of these scams the suspects are asking for personal and banking information and are often making promises that seem “to good to be true”. In all three of these situations the promises are too good to be true.

How could you win a lottery you’ve never entered, why would a millionaire need help moving money from the bank and why ask a stranger to help and lastly, why would a bank write a money order for ten thousand dollars more than a person requested.

These scammers are often based in Europe or the Middle East and it is almost impossible to track them down once information and money have been sent.

Always remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you are unsure about and email or phone call you have received ask a family member, your bank or your local police service.