RNC Release Advisory to Public of Internet Fraud

(ST. JOHN’S, NL), November 26, 2014 – The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC)

Economic Crime Unit is issuing a public advisory regarding online shopping and phone based

fraud.

With the Christmas season quickly approaching there is an increase in online shopping and an

increased opportunity to become a victim of fraud. Both buyers and sellers can become the

victim of an online or phone based fraud. The following are some tips to look out for to prevent

you from being a victim of fraud:

• If you are selling an item and the buyer overpays you and requests that you return

the difference through a money order.

• If the payment for your item is with a cheque drawn from a non-local financial institution

or the person demands that the items are shipped prior to payment being received.

• If you have already paid for the item and the seller delays sending it requesting more

money for shipping fees, taxes or border duty.

A phone based fraud that has recently seen an increase is the “Grandparents Scam”. These

phone based or email based frauds most often target elderly people. In this case the individual

contacts an elderly person either by phone or by email and claims to be their child, grand child

or some other close relative who has either been in an accident or sick in a foreign country. The

grandparent is then solicited for money to pay for medical attention, food, lodging, and a plane

ticket home.

Most phone or internet frauds can be reported to the Anti-Fraud Center Canada toll free at 1-

888-495-8501or via their website www.antifraudcentre.ca. The incident may also be reported to

the Royal Newfound Constabulary at 729-8000.