**** HRP Media Release
Make March the month to become fraud savvy
March is National Fraud Prevention Month and Halifax Regional Police wants you to become fraud savvy.
From emails claiming your bank account has been compromised to phone calls advising you’ve won a free cruise, fraudsters will use any opportunity to get their hands on your identity and/or your money. To help safeguard you, throughout the month we’ll be sharing information, tips and resources on identity theft, internet-related fraud, payment card fraud and other common scams.
Some Recommended steps to avoid scams:
1.Never send money to someone you have never met face-to-face.
2.Don’t click on links or open attachments in unsolicited email. Links can download malware onto your computer and/or steal your identity. Be cautious even with email that looks familiar; it could be fake.
3.Don’t believe everything you see. Scammers are great at mimicking official seals, fonts, and other details. Just because a website or email looks official does not mean that it is. Even Caller ID can be faked.
4.Don’t buy online unless the transaction is secure. Make sure the website has “https” in the URL (the extra s is for “secure”) and a small lock icon on the address bar. Even then, the site could be shady.
5.Be extremely cautious when dealing with anyone you’ve met online. Scammers use dating websites, Craigslist, social media, and many other sites to reach potential targets. They can quickly feel like a friend or even a romantic partner, but that is part of the con to get you to trust them.
6.Never share personally identifiable information with someone who has contacted you unsolicited, whether it’s over the phone, by email, on social media, even at your front door. This includes banking and credit card information, your birthdate, Social Insurance Numbers.
7.Don’t be pressured to act immediately. Scammers typically try to make you think something is scarce or a limited time offer. They want to push you into action before you have time to think or to discuss it with a family member, friend or financial advisor. High-pressure sales tactics are also used by some legitimate businesses, but it’s never a good idea to make an important decision quickly.
- Properly dispose of old electronic equipment that might hold person data.
Come see us and the Electronic Recycling Association on March 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the parking lot at 7 Mellor Avenue in Dartmouth where you can securely recycle your unwanted electronics.
Visit our fraud prevention webpage and the sites listed below to learn more about how you can protect your personal information and money.
http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alerts
https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams
