NT RCMP remind citizens that March is Fraud Prevention month

March 26, 2019
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

News release

Northwest Territories RCMP and the NT RCMP Financial Crimes Unit are reminding the citizens of the Northwest Territories that March is Fraud Prevention month. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) estimates that less than 5% of mass marketing fraud is reported.

In the NWT, the G Division Financial Crimes Unit has observed an increase in attempted mass marketing frauds over online classified ads. Consumers who sell merchandise online are susceptible to becoming victims.

Fraudsters contact potential victims through email or text with a general message asking about the item for sale. Fraudsters claim to be located out of town and offer to buy the item unseen. The seller will receive a spoofed Paypal email message or email money transfer notification, which claims the payment is pending. The message says that the funds will cover the cost of the item, plus shipping. However, in order for the funds to be released, a tracking number for the shipment must be provided by the seller. In other words, the funds will only accessible once the seller ships the product, gets the shipment's tracking number and provides the tracking number to the fraudster. The seller then learns that the payment notification is spoofed and no funds are available.

How to protect yourself from becoming a victim:

Beware of Recovery Scams. Victims of fraud are often targeted a second or third time with the promise of recovering money previously lost. Always do your due diligence and never send money to recovery money.

Be pro-active. Educate family, friends, neighbours and co‐workers on mass marketing frauds. You may prevent someone else from becoming a victim.

In the event that you have become a victim please keep these steps in mind:

Step 1: Gather all information pertaining to the fraud. This includes documents, receipts, copies of emails and/or text messages.

Step 2: Report the incident to your local RCMP detachment. This ensures that your Police of jurisdiction are aware of what scams are targeting their residents and businesses. Keep a log of all calls and document your file or occurrence numbers.

Step 3: Contact the Canadian Anti‐Fraud Centre toll free at 1‐888‐495‐8501 or through their website http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm

Step 4: Report the incident to the Financial Institution where the money was sent. (e.g. Money Service Business such as Western Union or MoneyGram, Bank or Credit Union, Credit Card Company or Internet Payment Service Provider).

Step 5: If the fraud took place online through Facebook, eBay, a classified ad such as Kijiji or a dating website, be sure to report the incident directly to the website. This is often found under "Report Abuse" or "Report an Ad".

Step 6: Victims of ID Fraud should place flags on all their accounts and report to both Credit Bureau's, Equifax and TransUnion.

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Contact information

Marie York-Condon
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Media Relations
Northwest Territories RCMP – Yellowknife, NT
Office: (867)765.3709
RCMP.NTMedia-NTMedias.GRC@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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