Burns Lake RCMP would like to make the public aware of recently reported incidents being investigated as a result of fraudulent documents being received by local citizens in the mail. The documents may contain fraudulent cheques, appearing normal in nature, made out to the individual recipients receiving them in exchange for services to be rendered through secret shopping.
The purpose of theses fraudulent documents is to obtain further personal banking information after the cheques have been deposited. Local banks have reviewed the cheques and deemed them to be fraudulent in nature, sometimes for thousands of dollars.
The RCMP are aware of several scams similar in nature to this often targeting senior citizens. The RCMP remind all persons to be cautious and vigilant when speaking on the phone, responding to letters in the mail or via email with banks and companies. No legitimate company will ask you to confirm your banking information, credit card numbers, passwords or personal information or request access to your computer. The safest practice is to call the company or agency directly with a number you know to be safe.
For more information on various frauds please refer to the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre website at: http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or by calling toll free 1-888-495-8501. Further information can be viewed on the RCMP website at: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/scams-fraudes/index-eng.htm