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August 30, 2018 - 11:04 AM
PENTICTON - An increase in reported phone scams has Penticton RCMP issuing a warning to residents.
Const. James Grandy says in a media release police have seen a sharp increase in the number of computer support scams in the area, warning the public not to become victims.
Grandy says the scam often originates from outside Canada by someone using what appears to be a local number. The person identifies himself or herself as a computer support person and asks to gain access to the victim’s computer in order to make updates.
The fraudulent tech supporter may pretend to be from Microsoft and claim to need remote access to the victim’s computer, following which the scammer demands payment, most typically in the form of untraceable gift cards, he says. They often make threats if they do not receive the funds.
Grandy says Microsoft does not send unsolicited email messages or make unsolicited phone calls to request personal or financial information.
Anyone who believes they have been victimized in this way are asked to call their local RCMP detachment at 250-492-4300, or call the anti-fraud centre at 1-888-945-8501.
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