Chilliwack RCMP are warning people about the dangers of internet and phone scams after two recent reports came in to them.
One of the more “sinister” scams was a demand for Bitcoin payment from a homeowner to prevent a bomb from detonating, said Cpl. Mike Rail spokesperson for the Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment.
The other one was a request of personal information for banking accounts.
“On both occasions a potential victim did the right thing not responding and reported the unusual correspondence to police,” Rail said.
RCMP are again reminding folks to take caution when receiving suspicious emails and phone calls.
Thieves come up with many different telephone and internet swindles, however, in most cases there are common threads to a pitch. A scam begins with a ‘hook,’ usually in the form of an unexpected email containing a request or demand for personal information or currency.
For more tips on how to protect yourself from fraud, visit bc.rcmp-grc.gc.ca. There’s information on the site about COVID-19 scams, ‘gifting’ pyramids, police impersonators and more.
“Protect yourself from fraud. Never provide personal banking information by phone, computer, or mail to solicitors,” Rail said.
RCMP remind everyone who witnesses anything they believe to be suspicious in nature to call police at 604-792-4611 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
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