**** HRP Media Release
Police warn citizens of recurring scams
Halifax Regional Police have recently received several reports in relation to two recurring scams where people are being defrauded of their money.
The first is an employment scam that involves fraudsters advertising a fake employment opportunity using the same methods as legitimate employers. The application and hiring processes are typically conducted with little or no visual or in-person contact with the “employer.” Soon after being hired, the scammer asks the employee to make purchases or pay expenses using their own funds and promises they will be reimbursed. The items purchased are often gift cards. The employee never receives the reimbursement or finds out that the reimbursement payment is fraudulent. The employee is out the money that they spent upfront.
The second is a cheque cashing scam where fraudsters approach a person and tell them that they are in difficult circumstances and urgently need a cheque cashed. The scammer asks the person to go to a bank machine, deposit the cheque in the person’s account, withdraw money and give it to the scammer. The cheque turns out to be fraudulent and the person is out the money they gave to the scammer.
What to do if you encounter a fraud:
- Be cautious and do not provide any money or financial or personal information until you have verified the legitimacy of the person or the company they claim to represent.
- Notify your bank immediately if the fraud involves your bank account or credit card.
- Call police at 902.490.5016 if you’ve lost money or your identity has been compromised as a result of a fraud. You can report a scam where you haven’t been a victim to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
- Check the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for information on current scams.
