Police would like to raise public awareness as there has been a resurgence in a variety of fraudulent scams in the Okanagan-Shuswap.
Recently the RCMP has received reports of a variation to the “cheque overpayment fraud” which targets potential host families for international students. The fraudster has been known to contact the host family to host their son or daughter. The fraudster then sends the victim a cheque for too much money and asks that the victim send the difference in balance to their son or daughter to pay for their air travel.
Police have also noticed another wave of the “grandparent scam” which typically targets the elderly.
The fraud artist will often call from a private phone number and claim to be a grandchild, a niece or a nephew and ask for the victim to wire money to them.
The fraud artist will usually state that they are in jail or have been in a crash and require the money for legal fees or their release. Often victims don’t verify the information until after the money has been sent.
If you suspect you are being scammed or have been the victim of a scam contact the Salmon Arm RCMP at 250-832-6044.
For more information, go to www.antifraudcentre.ca