Saanich Police are hoping to spread the word for residents to be on guard against fraud.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not always easy to spot a scam, and new ones are invented every day. If you suspect that you may be a target of fraud, or if you have already sent funds, donB次元官网网址檛 be embarrassed B次元官网网址� youB次元官网网址檙e not alone,B次元官网网址� said Sgt. Jereme Leslie with the Saanich Police.

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While he doesnB次元官网网址檛 have exact numbers on the numbers of frauds reported to police in Saanich this year, he said those numbers are definitely on the rise.

B次元官网网址淥ne thing we ask people to do is talk to people who might be vulnerable, young people or the older generation, who might be vulnerable to these scams,B次元官网网址� said Leslie. B次元官网网址淓ducation is the key here.B次元官网网址�

He points to a new scam to appear in recent months targeting people looking for work. The potential victim is offered a job, and following a lengthy email correspondence process, they are asked to disclose their financial information.

B次元官网网址淎 direct deposit is placed in their account and all of a sudden theyB次元官网网址檝e got $3,500 or something like that,B次元官网网址� said Leslie, adding the victim is then asked to transfer the money back to the fraudulent employer.

B次元官网网址淲hat is happening is the funds that were put into their account are fraudulent, and because they have breached the bankB次元官网网址檚 policy in regards to disclosure of their personal information theyB次元官网网址檙e out that money.B次元官网网址�

In recognition of Fraud Prevention Month in March, a campaign was started in 2004 to encourage Canadians to recognize and report fraud, Saanich Police have compiled a list of tips to protect yourself from some of the most common frauds.

• Be extra cautious about calls, emails etc from the Canada Revenue Agency, especially at this time of the year. The CRA will not threaten to arrest you or ask you to divulge personal information, financial information or ask you to pay them in gift cards, prepaid credit cards or Bitcoin.
• DonB次元官网网址檛 be fooled by the promise of a valuable prize in return for a low-cost purchase.
• Be aware of calls, emails or mailings offering international bonds or lottery tickets, a portion of a foreign dignitaryB次元官网网址檚 bank account, free vacations, credit repair or schemes with unlimited income potential.
• DonB次元官网网址檛 be afraid to hang up the phone, delete the email or close your Internet connection.
• Be aware of B次元官网网址渏ob offersB次元官网网址� that have you receiving funds into your bank account and then directing those funds to company representative.
• DonB次元官网网址檛 purchase a product or service without carefully checking out the product, service and company.
• DonB次元官网网址檛 be afraid to request further documentation from the caller so you can verify the validity of the company.
• DonB次元官网网址檛 disclose personal information about your finances, bank accounts, credit cards, social insurance and driverB次元官网网址檚 license numbers to any business that canB次元官网网址檛 prove it is legitimate.
• Shred unwanted personal information such as bank statements, credit card bills, unwanted receipts, cheques, pre-approved credit applications and old tax returns.

B次元官网网址淏ank or credit card companies arenB次元官网网址檛 going to ask for your personal information over the phone,B次元官网网址� said Leslie, adding legitimate companies or agencies will not ask for payment in Bitcoin or gift cards.

He points out information on common scams and ways to protect yourself can be found at www.antifraudcentre.ca.

Anyone with information that may help locate or identify the people responsible for these crimes is asked to call Saanich Police at 250-475-4321, or to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).