SCAM ALERT: Halton Police Warn of Yet Another Fraud
Published September 11, 2018 at 3:42 pm
If you have a phone number, you’ll want to read this.
Same goes for email users.
If you have a phone number, you’ll want to read this.
Same goes for email users.
Halton police are warning of a scam involving mystery shoppers.
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Here’s the deal.
A victim receives a text message or email.
When they respond with their personal information they are sent a cheque to deposit.
The cheque is counterfeit or stolen from a business.
Shoppers Drug Mart, Shoppers Canada, Mystery Shopper are among some of the companies commonly misrepresented as employers, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Consumers who reply with interest receive a cheque in the mail with instructions to attend various stores, complete transactions, send funds by Money Service Business (MSB) and rate the services experienced.
The ’employee’ is told to deposit the cheque and keep a portion of the money as a payment.
How to protect yourself
- Never respond to an unsolicited text or email.
- Be wary when a “company” uses a web based email address to conduct business.
- If you receive a cheque or funds deposited to your account in response to a job, advise your financial institution immediately.
- If a job sounds too good to be true, it is.
If you believe you’ve been a target or victim of fraud, report the incident by contacting Halton police and calling the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for more information on how to protect yourself.
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