The fraud prevention month of March kicked off with area residents getting scam letters in the mail.
Lots of people in #oakbay are getting these letters. Its a SCAM! Pls don't ever believe these "too good to be true" scenarios. Not by phone, text, email, letter or any other method of delivery. These ruthless criminals just want your money. #yyj @canantifraud pic.twitter.com/ngStRSosBx
— Oak Bay Police (@OakBayPolice) March 5, 2018
With official looking letterhead, website and large ‘confidential’ watermark the letters look official. Oak Bay Police Department took to social media to alert residents to the scam with the reminder, if it looks too good to be true, it often is.
“These scams continue in a variety of forms from emailing, texting, phone calls and letters,” said Deputy Chief Ray Bernoties. “In this specific case, we have not learned of anyone being actually defrauded, but we’re concerned that vulnerable people could fall prey to such a scam. We also know that victims under report these crimes to police.”
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The letter shared on social media appears to be from a UK bank and promises $23 million pounds from an unclaimed estate.
“This scam led the recipient to believe that their surname was the same as a deceased person’s surname who left a large amount of money in a bank account and the writer could help them access it. We received many of these letters which were all identical, with the exception of the names,” Bernoties said. “If it seems to good to be true, it is. Please simply recycle the letter, delete your email or hang up your phone.”
Visit the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca for more tips.
cvanreeuwyk@oakbaynews.com
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