The scammers are up to no good, and they’re trying new ways to fool you.
After several local residents, and staff members of the Barrhead Leader as well, received suspicious letters and telephone calls, the editorial staff thought it would be best to remind everyone what the current scams are and who to talk to if you think you’ve been a victim.
While there are several going around, the latest and biggest — and possibly the hardest to crack uses the name of the Canadian Revenue Agency and is, as senior fraud specialist Daniel Williams says, an example of a crime of persuasion.
Phone-fraud involves a lot of fear-based tactics where the scammer will attempt to dupe a person, into making a payment on a debt in many cases they know nothing about, and will use things like prison sentences, high court fees and the possibility of imminent arrest to sway you.
Should you be smart enough to trust your instincts when faced with something too good to be true, the scammers will throw you a curve ball — they’ll offer to allow you to use a lawyer to negotiate settlement.
Even if you’ve been duped in the past, offering people options like this cements the metaphorical scales over ones eyes.
It makes it more credible, but the reality is nothing has changed.
Be aware of what you’re dealing with, and be suspicious of numbers you don’t recognize.
A simple Google search of the phone number, prize amount, or offer, along with the word ‘scam’ or ‘possible scam’ should protect you from the majority of these predators, but if you feel you’ve fallen victim — don’t be silent.
The absolute worst thing you can do for yourself, your loved ones, and everyone else in the community is not saying anything.
Make as much noise as possible, and to everyone involved.
If the scammer wanted you to send them money via Western Union or with gift cards, tell the institutions you used in the transaction.
And report the number to the Anti Fraud Centre.
It’s bad enough that there are people out there making a living in this manner.
