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Richmond RCMP warning people to stay aware of scams, frauds

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 12:22 PST, Fri November 25, 2022

Although Richmond RCMP investigates many incidents of scams and frauds throughout the year, it is believed that the true number of incidents is largely under-reported. 

From romance scams to rental scams, currency exchange scams to email phishing, the sheer number of scams continues to increase every year. The best method of protection is information and being properly informed. 

“The best information we can suggest is preventative. If we can help someone avoid being victimized, that is definitely one for the W column. If you are unsure of something, ask for an informed second opinion. If a deal seems too good to be true, it is likely a scam. If you are sent strange links to your phone or email, don’t click them without reviewing where (they have) originated from. Try and do as much homework as you can about something you are planning to purchase or rent. Lastly, law enforcement or authorities will never ask for payment to avoid an investigation,” says Cpl. Dennis Hwang.

Police are offering some tips to avoid scams and frauds:

Your identity is unique—keep it safe. This means your banking info, personal info, credit information, and so on. If you lose any of your identity documents, swiftly cancel them and obtain new documents.

Regularly check banking or credit card transactions to make certain that nothing is out of the ordinary.

Make your passwords for any of your accounts or apps more secure, or better yet, use a password manager and enable two-factor authentication or hardware key authentication.

• If anyone contacts you, do not reveal any specific details of your identification.

• If an organization or an individual requests money in the form of bitcoin or gift card, this is a tell-tale sign of something amiss.

“Although victims of scams can be of any age, seniors are particularly vulnerable. The Richmond RCMP crime prevention unit has an outreach program available for local seniors or community groups. Please contact our crime prevention unit at 604-278-1212 to arrange for further information,” says Hwang. “Our economic crime unit is highly experienced in the investigation, capability, and enforcement of complex financial crimes including frauds and scams.”

The BCRCMP have a number of scams and frauds listed here: bc-cb.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=2081&languageId=1&contentId=-1.

For more information on the most up to date frauds and scams in Canada, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm.

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