Shine Fm Blog

Tis' the Season for Fraud

Posted by Terry Van Veen | POST A COMMENT

Grande Prairie and Beaverlodge RCMP Detachments remind the public to be wary of fraudsters looking for money this Christmas season.

Grande Prairie RCMP received a complaint on December 5th where the victim received a call from a suspect asking if he was having problems with Microsoft. The victim allowed the fraudster access to his computer and also provided credit card information to pay for supposed upgrades to his computer system. The victim lost in excess of $300.00.

In another instance, a woman in Beaverlodge was asked to provide her PIN for a banking card so money from a tax refund could be deposited to her account. She didn't provide any personal information.

These events are reminders that we need to protect our personal information to minimize risk and loss.

Tips That Help Minimize Your Risk (Courtesy of www.antifraudcentre.ca)

1. Before you reveal any personally identifying information, find out how it will be used and if it will be shared.

2. Pay attention to your billing cycles. Follow up with creditors if your bills don't arrive on time.

3. Guard your mail. Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at your local post office. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery. Ensure mail is forwarded or re-routed if you move or change your mailing address.

4. Utilize passwords on your credit card, bank and phone accounts. Avoid using easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your SIN or your phone number.

5. Minimize the identification information and number of cards you carry.

6. Do not give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the internet unless you have initiated the contact or know whom you're dealing with.

7. Keep items with personal information in a safe place. An identity thief will pick through your garbage or recycling bins. Be sure to tear or shred receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements and credit offers you get in the mail.

8. Give your SIN only when absolutely necessary. Ask to use other types of identifiers when possible.

9. Don't carry your SIN card; leave it in a secure place.