A employee at a local retailer became suspicious after an elderly couple made a large purchase of iTunes cards.
This alert employee contacted police as she was fearful that the elderly couple were possibly being victimized as part of the Canada Revenue Agency Scam that has been permeating the Sudbury Community for the past year.
Greater Sudbury Police Service Communications Centre staff was able to identify the elderly couple and immediately contacted them to advise them that it was possible that they were the victims of a SCAM.
Officers attended their residence and confirmed that this couple was in fact being victimized.
The quick actions of the store employee ensured that this couple was not out a significant amount of money and prevented this scam artist from getting away with victimizing senior citizens in the City of Greater Sudbury.
It is one of our goals to ensure that our police service works in partnership with our community members to make the City of Greater Sudbury a healthy and safe community to reside in. In this particular circumstance a community member went the extra mile to prevent a criminal act being perpetrated on our community. We recognize and applaud this effort.
Unfortunately, the criminals behind these scams tend to target the seniors community. Everyone must remain vigilant to protect themselves from fraud as no one is immune. Anyone caring for a senior citizen or other vulnerable adults is also encouraged to make them aware of the consequences of being targeted.
In order to assist you we are once again providing these strategies for your awareness. If you have a member of your family or know someone that could be manipulated by these schemes please print out these tips and place them near their phones so that they can be reminded not to fall for the high pressure tactics of these fraud artists.
Preventative tips:
• Advise the caller you will follow up by calling the agency / company yourself to confirm what you are being told – if they try to keep you on the line, you should quickly hang up.
• Ask for caller’s name and phone number.
• Talk to someone you trust before sending money.
• Legitimate service providers and government agencies do not threaten their customers into sending money by way of money transfers.
• Do not provide personal information unless you are the one that initiated the call – no exceptions.
For further information, please visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center website at www.antifraudcentre.ca.
If you have been victimized or someone has made you feel intimidated, contact the Greater Sudbury Police Service.
If you have been the recipient of a phone call only and have not been victimized please forward the information to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Recognize It. Report It. Stop It.