Halifax RCMP are warning of multiple incidents of fraud over the last couple of weeks, scamming one family out of $300,000.
Police say they happened between March 4 and 14 including victims in Middle Sackville, Lakeside, Head of Chezzetcook, Beechville, Fall River and Eastern Passage.
They involve things like gaining trust with someone on Facebook claiming to go through a hard time, responding to an investment ad on Facebook, someone impersonating the fraud department of a bank and one caller pretending to be the person’s son.
Money lost ranges from $5,000 to 300,000.
Investigators to do not believe the scams are connected.
Police say scams are always evolving with many variations and there are several steps you can take to protect yourself:
- Don’t be afraid to say no – Don’t be intimidated by high-pressure tactics. Be cautious of urgent requests that play on your emotions.
- Do your research – Always verify that the organization or person you’re dealing with is legitimate before taking action. If you received a call from a family member claiming to be in trouble, check with other family members to confirm the situation.
- Don’t give out personal information – Be cautious of unsolicited calls asking for personal details. If you didn’t initiate the call, you can’t be sure who you’re speaking with.
- Recognize spoofing –Fraudsters often disguise their phone numbers or email addresses to appear legitimate.
- Just hang up – Don’t be afraid to terminate the call. You can always verify the situation later, whether it’s a family member or your financial institution.
If you have been a victim of fraud you are asked to call police at 902-490-5020 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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