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Terrace resident victim of scam

People need to be alert if asked to transfer money, says RCMP officer

A Terrace citizen has lost more than a thousand dollars in the scam known as the "money transfer request".

Offers that involve transferring money for someone you don’t know are nearly always a scam. They could also be money laundering, which is illegal. The best way to protect yourself from scams is to educate yourself on what they look like. Learn how to recognize the various types of scams and protect your personal information, says Cst Angela Rabut, Community Policing/Media Relations Terrace RCMP.

The money transfer request scam looks like this. You will be asked to transfer money for somebody using your own bank account or a bank account that you set up for this purpose. The approach could come in a number of ways: a letter similar to the Nigerian scams, a work from home opportunity, an overpayment for an item, a long lost relative has died and left you a huge inheritance, or in any other way which means you have to hand over bank account details or wire money to a stranger. The scams often offer you a commission simply for receiving money into your bank account and then transferring it out again.

Some warning signs to look:

  • You receive an offer that involves you receiving and sending money electronically.
  • The offer requests your account details so that money can be sent to your account.
  • There is a promise of employment simply by using your bank account.
  • The scammer will suggest that they need an account in your country so they can conduct their business.

Never send money, or give credit card or online account details to anyone you do not know and trust. Ask yourself; is it really safe to transfer money for someone I do not know?

For more information go to www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.