Det. Mark MacDonald of the Integrated Halifax Regional Police/RCMP Financial Crime Unit believes everyone should take steps to become "fraud resistant."
"Businesses and individuals can do a lot to avoid becoming the victims of scammers," he said.
March is Fraud Prevention Month across Canada, an ideal time to learn about the types of scams out there and ways to thwart them.
MacDonald said one of the most-troubling schemes his unit has investigated recently is called the Seniors Scam. A senior is targeted by a con artist who calls or emails posing as a relative in trouble. Sometimes the caller poses as a lawyer representing a relative. The caller asks the senior for a sum of money to help them get out of trouble and will frequently ask them not to mention the call to other family members.
MacDonald recommends that any strange calls be thoroughly checked out before money is sent. He said the scammers will work at placing doubt in the mind of seniors about the safety and well-being of family members.
"Call police for help to verify the story," he said.
One of the simplest things individuals can do to protect themselves is purchase a paper shredder to destroy unwanted but sensitive documents.
Fraud investigators also recommend individuals order personalized cheques with initials and full last name.
Scammers won't know how the cheques are supposed to be signed, but the banks will.
Copies of important documents such as passports, credit cards and driver's licence, should be kept in a safe place.
Businesses should also take a few steps to protect themselves and their customers.
l Check PIN pad machines frequently. Know the serial numbers of the machines or give each machine a unique marking or theft-resistant base.
l If you suspect a machine has been tampered with, switched or stolen, report it immediately.
l Make sure that technicians working on PIN pad machines are legitimate.
l Be familiar with the ways to spot counterfeit currency. Visit the Halifax Regional Police website at www.halifax.ca/police to see if serial numbers on suspect bills have been entered into the counterfeit bills database.
l Train employees on ways to spot potential frauds.
l Visit the Phone Busters website at www.phonebusters.com/ or www.rcmpgrc.gc.ca/scam-fraudes/ index-eng.htm for more information on scams.
l If you suspect your business is being targeted by scammers or you want to report suspicious activity, notify police.
Halifax Regional Police is committed to working with communities and residents to stamp out crime and improving the quality of life in HRM. This column will highlight some of the work of the police in your district.
