Scams - Comox Valley Crimestoppers

08-29-06
File Number: 06-14728

Bank ID Scam
The Comox Valley RCMP Detachment wish to warn the residents of the Comox Valley of a possible internet fraud being received through e-mail.

A Comox man received an e-mail from "The Desjardins Team' stating they suspect the man's account has been accessed by a third party. They then ask to have the account access restored by inputting the visa number and personal identification number (PIN).

The public is urged that if they receive e-mails of this nature, not to provide any personal or banking information.

For more information on credit card fraud or internet scams, log on to: scambusters.org.

Telephone scam alert!
March 2-2006
We received this message over the internet and have confirmed its validity with the RCMP. It is important to read; it is a phone scam that could prove to be expensive. This message has been posted to the CS Web site.
Comox Valley Crime Stoppers

90# on your telephone

“I dialed ' 0 ' and asked the operator who did confirmed that this was
correct so please pass it on.”

PASS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW
I received a telephone call last evening from an individual identifying himself as an AT&T Service technician (could also be Telus) who was conducting a test on the telephone lines. He stated that to complete the test I should touch nine (9), zero (0),
the pound sign (#), and then hang up.

Luckily, I was suspicious and refused.

Upon contacting the telephone company, I was informed that by pushing 90#, you give the requesting individual full access to your telephone line, which enables them to place long distance calls billed to your home phone number.

I was further informed that this scam has been originating from many local jails/prisons. DO NOT press 90# for ANYONE !!

The GTE Security Department requested that I share this information with EVERYONE I KNOW.

After checking with Verizon they said it was true, so do not dial 90# for anyone!!!!!”

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW.
Crime Prevention Coordinator
South Surrey District 5 RCMP
604-592-3826

George Nielsen
http://www.hitest.org/

Internet Scam
The Comox Valley RCMP would like to make the public aware of a fraudulent type activity being conducted involving business over the internet.

The main scenario is based around the victim placing an item on the Internet. The perpetrator responds via e-mail, advising that they are interested in making the purchase. The perpetrator will then send a cheque for more then the asking price of the item and asks that the victim send back the remaining left over cash. The goal of the perpetrator is that the victim will have made the transaction and sent the remaining monies before the bank has caught on to the fraudulent cheque. Each scenario may vary from one another, however the basic concept remains, where the perpetrator asks for the victim to send remaining money back to them.

Over the past while the RCMP have received several complaints in regards to this type of fraudulent criminal activity and are asking that the public use caution when accepting cheques as payment.

If you would like more information on the different type of frauds, log on to www.rcmp.ca/scams/index_e.htm

Cheque aleration fails
On 2005-06-26, an adult male was arrested at local financial institution after he tried to cash In a local financial institution

$16,000 check that had been fraudulently altered. The investigation revealed that the male had recently made a recent internet contact via the "Chat rooms" and had been duped into trying to cash the check. Once the check was cashed, the male was to transfer the money to Singapore and Amsterdam. The male was released with no charges and the investigation is continuing. If you want more info on the different type of frauds you can log on and go to

www .rcmp.ca/scams/index-e.htm

Telephone Scam Alert

Dated 05-27-04

The Comox Valley RCMP would like to advise the public that they are NOT conducting any type of telemarketing campaign soliciting funds via phone. Numerous complaint have been received by this detachment by public who have been called via phone by a person representing himself as "Cpl Larsen" of the RCMP. This person is soliciting funds for various causes. These may include a request for funds for a RCMP youth drug treatment program, or the other police related programs such as DARE.

The caller usually asks for donations in the amount of $35 to $50 dollars. Should you receive one of these calls please *57 to lock this phone number, and also *69 in an attempt to obtain a number where the call may ordinated from. In the past few days the Comox Valley RCMP had received in excess of 6 calls in regards to this type of fraudulent criminal activity. People in Campbell River have also been contacted with this same type of story line.

Should you have any information in regards to a suspect in this mater please contact the Comox Valley RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

BC Crime Prevention Association has learned that a new variation of the Nigerian Letter or West African fraud has spread to the Lower Mainland

Type of Fraud: Stolen credit card numbers used to commit “card not present fraud”. Victims are e-commerce businesses that have a website and ship product based upon telephone/internet orders.

Purpose of fraud: to convince businesses that legitimate purchases are being made.

Variation on a theme: Nigerian Letters, e-mails & faxes are commonplace and designed to part people from their money. In this variation the goal is to part businesses from their product and money through use of credit card numbers culled from the Internet from cardholders who have used insecure websites.

As in all frauds attempts are made to avoid raising red flags that would indicate fraud and in this case the telephone order is routed through a TTY Relay Operator which is designed to convince the victim (business) that the caller is deaf or hearing impaired. Using this technique the fraudster hopes to gain immediate sympathy, sanitize the contact and lower the business owner’s suspicions of any potential fraud.

The fraudsters are also exploiting the confidential nature of conversations routed via the Telus TTY Relay Service Operator which prevents the fraudulent nature of the call from being disclosed to anyone.

Regardless of the method used by the fraudster to order product, businesses should always exercise due diligence to ensure that an order is legitimate and so avoid charge backs. Following steps should be taken to test whether the fraudster has actual possession of the credit card or just the number:

The Comox Valley RCMP would like to remind merchants in the Comox Valley of an ongoing fraud that is being committed on Vancouver Island area as well as the Gulf Islands. For complete details Read.. ..

The Comox Valley R.C.M.POLICE wish to warn the residents of the Comox Valley of a possible fraud being received through the mail in the Comox Valley. For complete details Read....

Please be aware that it is illegal in both Canada and the United States to ask for money upfront for a loan. Please do not send in the requsted money as you will receive absolutely nothing in return.

Courtenay RCMP have been made aware of yet another telephone fraud scam. An elderly residence received a call advising her name had been chosen for entry into a draw for suprlus lottery funds. For complete details Read....

This is an ongoing scam - Courtenay RCMP are continuing to receive calls from the public about a letter supposedly from the Nigerian Government advising of investment opportunities.

If you are not sure contact the Better Business Bureau and remember it is best to error on the side of caution. 'BUYER BEWARE'