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September 08, 2017 - 9:19 AM
KAMLOOPS - The Mounties are investigating after a fraud artist managed to convince a Kamloops woman that she had to send them money in order to reopen her bank account.
The woman received a call from somebody claiming to work for her bank and said money had been stolen from her account causing it to be frozen and the only way to open it back up would be to transfer money. The lady was convinced the call was legitimate and before she or her family knew what was going on she had transferred almost $4,000 to the scammer through Western Union.
This case is prompting the RCMP to once again remind the public to be extremely cautious any time you receive a call from somebody claiming to be with a financial institute or the Canada Revenue Agency. It is recommended that if you are called you should hang up, verify the number is associated to your bank or the CRA, and only call back when you are certain the person you are speaking to is genuine.
“It is important to tell family members who may not have heard about this scam," Cpl. Jodi Shelkie says in a media release. "Have a conversation with people who may not have access to the internet. The more people that know about this scam, the better.”
If you believe you have been targeted by fraudsters you should note the number that is trying to contact you and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center at 1-888-495-8501. You can also report it online at CAFC Fraud Reporting.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2017