March is Fraud Prevention Month

Mar 8, 2022

The Edmundston Police Force reminds citizens to be on the lookout for telephone or computer fraudsters who can extract information, money and even your identity. Some fraudsters may pose as police officers, government agents, bank employees, and hydroelectric company representatives. These types of calls or solicitations (automated or not) are fraudulent. If you receive this type of call or internet solicitation, don't give in to pressure or panic, just hang up or ignore the message.

Extortion

Fraudsters may tell you that your Social Insurance Number (SIN) is compromised or linked to criminal activity and will ask you for personal information such as your SIN, date of birth, name, address, and bank account balances. In an automated message, fraudsters will tell you to dial 1, after which they will ask you to provide personal information, and/or to withdraw money and deposit it in a "safe account". On the web, fraudsters may want you to click on a link that may seem familiar asking you to provide personal or banking information. Do not click on any link that seems questionable to you.

How to protect yourself

- No government agency contacts individuals to report that their SIN has been blocked.

- Never divulge personal information over the telephone or on the Internet to a stranger.

- Do not assume that the phone numbers that appear on your caller ID are genuine.

- Beware of robocalls asking you to press 1 to speak to an agent.

- Beware of emails or text messages that encourage you to click on a questionable link.

Source: https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm

We remind you that it’s very important not to give personal and/or banking information over the telephone or on the internet to anyone who communicates with you under false pretenses, with the aim of extracting information and/or money. If you believe you have been victim of such a fraud, please contact the Edmundston Police Force at 739-2100 or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Center (CAFC) at 1-888-495-8501.

Be on the lookout and talk about it to your loved ones!

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CONTACT: Edmundston Police Force, 506.739.2100