Powell River RCMP officers reported the following for February 28 to March 5, 2024
Total calls for service: 111
Thefts: 4
Break and enter: 1
Impaired driving: 4
Assaults: 6
Mischief: 3
Mental health: 1
March 7: Fraud awareness
In 2023, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) received more than 116,000 reports of fraud across Canada.
Last year there were more than 100 fraud complaints reported to Powell River RCMP. Last week there were three local reports. What this really means is the residents of Powell River are not immune to this crime and locally we are defrauded out of tens of thousands of dollars every year. Identity fraud, service fraud, investment scams, romance scams, and the list can go on, have all victimized the local population. The best way to protect yourself is knowing the warning signs.
- Anyone asking for payment via gift cards/iTunes cards et cetera, should set off warning bells. Government agencies and banks do not accept these as payment.
- Be careful when sending cryptocurrency; once the transaction is completed, it is unlikely to be reversed
- Prior to investing, ask for information on the investment. Research the team behind the offering and analyze the feasibility of the project
- Verify that the investment company is registered with your Provincial Securities Regulator or the National Registration Search Tool
- If you receive a suspicious phone call claiming to be from a family member in an emergency situation, hang up the phone and contact them directly on the number you have in your contact list
- If a caller claims to be a law enforcement official and asks you to pay a fine or bail, hang up and call your local police directly
- If you receive funds from an unknown individual or company for any reason and are asked to forward it elsewhere - don't! You could be breaking laws when you are acting as a money mule
- If you are asked to "boost" apps, videos or merchandise, you will more than likely be providing fake reviews to fraudulent products
- Use reputable service providers located in your area
- Never click on a link or attachment from an unsolicited message
- Learn more tips and tricks for protecting yourself
- Visit the CAFC Website ( Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca) often to keep up to date on recent scams
- Finally, if it is too good to be true, IT IS!
Anyone who suspects they have been a victim of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police and to the CAFC's online reporting system, or by phone at 1.888.495.8501. If not a victim, report it to the CAFC anyway.
Anyone with information about any crime is asked to contact Powell River RCMP at 604.485.6255, or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.8477 or bccrimestoppers.com.
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