A West Nipissing woman avoided a big loss by being suspicious and calling police.
On February 18th, the victim called police asking for information.
She told the officer that she had received a call at home by someone claiming to be a police officer.
The “officer” told her that she was in arrears to the tune of $1,200 on her income taxes.
She was warned that she had to pay immediately or she would be brought to jail and all her assets would be seized.
The caller asked her to pay by providing him with pre-paid Visa cards.
The woman went to the bank and withdrew $1,200, then went to the Canadian Tire gas bar and bought four $300 pre-paid Visa cards.
The victim then provided the "police officer" caller with the card numbers.
Upon hearing this information, the real officer quickly called Visa and explained the situation.
They queried the cards but no money had been withdrawn at the time so they cancelled them.
According to West Nipissing police the "lucky" complainant will be reimbursed by Visa company for the entire $1,200.
Police add that the Canada Revenue Agency will not call you at home with this type of allegation so people should not fall for this type of fraud.
Meanwhile that same day, a fraud complaint was received stating that they were called at home by someone claiming to be working for Canadian Tire.
The caller told the victim that they had won a large amount of Canadian Tire money.
The caller asked them to stay on the line so they could be re-connected to a representative. The complainant was advised by police that Canadian Tire did not have an existing campaign of this nature.
Police say If anyone receives these types of calls, to ignore it and just hang up.
And finally, here is another type of fraud that is occurring regularly in West Nipissing.
Local businesses are receiving an invoice in the mail by a company named DIRECT ONLINE SERVICES 411Inc.
Some businesses mistakenly take this invoice for another organization that they have a legitimate contract with.
The businesses pay upwards of $850 as the bill reads “FINAL INVOICE”.
The businesses soon catch on but by that time, the payment has already been sent out.
Other names that this type of fraudsters are using are DIRECT SERVICES 411 OR 411 CAN PAGES Inc.
Businesses should pay attention to the invoices they receive and to confirm their legitimacy.
Anyone coming across this type of “INVOICE” is asked to throw them out and to contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud center at 1-888-495-8501 or by going online at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.
