On July 4, the Salmon Arm RCMP were alerted to several telephone scams that have been active in various forms for several years.
In one instance, a complainant indicated that they had received a call from “Compassion Canada” advising that the complainant’s grandson was in jail in Calgary and required a large sum of money to get out on bail. The caller requested the money be mailed to a location outside of Canada.
In the second instance, an unknown male called the complainant claiming to be from Microsoft and indicating that there was a problem with the complainant’s computer.
The caller asked for $349 to repair the computer and attempted to obtain the complainant’s banking information. A large sum of money was later found to be missing from the complainant’s bank account.
The callers and scam artists in these frauds are very convincing and professional, making it easy to believe what they are saying. Police caution the public to be wary of unsolicited calls from people they do not know.
Salmon Arm RCMP have also been made aware that there is a male working the area who is targeting seniors for fraud. The man approaches elderly home-owners with promises of roof repairs, paving and home improvements asking for a deposit on the work that is to be done.
After receiving the money, the man leaves without completing any repairs or any of the work promised. Police request that anyone with information related to this offence contact them or Crime Stoppers.