Cops warn of phishing scams

By Gillian Slade Alberta Newspaper Group on March 10, 2021.

The Medicine Hat Police Service has issued a warning about common mass marketing scams that are generally referred to as “phishing scams.”

Typically the fraudster replicates a legitimate company and then sends out emails, often widely circulated, to try to entice or lure potential victims, says MHPS. Phishing scams don’t only happen over the Internet but can also be conducted over the phone or through traditional letters mailed to the general public.

Be suspicious of emails, phone calls or a letter that says you have won a prize but then instructs you to respond to verify what you have won, say police. Sometimes the telephone number you are asked to call is a 1-900 number, which requires you to pay a price, sometimes up to $6 a minute or a flat rate.

MHPS warn that some of these phishing scams will appear to be from an institution you are currently involved with and will ask that you provide personal information such as a credit card or social insurance number.

“This should be a warning sign as your financial institution will already have this information on file,” states a MHPS press release.

Ways to protect yourself from falling victim to phishing scams:

– Never respond to unsolicited requests from a company requesting personal information.

– If you receive a notification that you have won a prize from a contest you have never participated in, do not respond.

– Block 1-900 phone numbers from calling you through your local telephone provider.

– If you receive a request from a company you are currently involved with and they are requesting money or personal information, MHPS says to contact your local branch of that institution directly to confirm the details.

– If you receive unsolicited emails or regular mail, do your research on the company before doing business with them. MHPS says the Better Business Bureau is a great resource to confirm if they are a legitimate business with a positive reputation.

“The best rule of thumb to protect yourself is to always be skeptical,” says the MHPS press release. “Educate yourself on ways to protect your hard-earned money and seek advice if you are concerned that something might be a scam.”

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website (www.antifraudcentre.ca) is a great resource for information.

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