Hudson’s Hope RCMP monthly bulletin: Detachment issues 23 violations and warning tickets

HUDSON’S HOPE, B.C. — The Hudson’s Hope RCMP responded to 20 calls for service between January 23rd to February 21st.

The detachment issued 23 violations and warning tickets to drivers between the above dates for various motor vehicle-related offences. Highway and road safety continues to be a focus for the Hudson’s Hope RCMP.

On January 31st, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP received a report of a vandalism that occurred at the Bullhead Mountain Curling Club. It was reported that someone had vandalized the compressor outside the building, which caused a leak and, subsequently, partially melted an area of the arena’s ice. The file remains open for investigation or possible leads. 

On February 4th, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP responded to the scene of a vehicle hitting moose along Highway 29. Upon attending the scene, police located an unoccupied vehicle, which yielded significant damage, and a deceased moose was lying nearby. Police later spoke with the driver, who confirmed no persons were injured. 

On February 10th, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP received a report of an investing fraud in which approximately $135,000 was lost. It was reported that monies had been invested via Bitcoin into an overseas investing company named Graystone Venture Capital, which is said to be based in London, England (UK). Upon learning that this investment company was fraudulent, the monies were unable to be received. This file remains open for investigation. 

The number of fraud reports that the Hudson’s Hope RCMP has been receiving has increased over the new year, and we’d like to remind people to be extra vigilant and conduct some research into businesses or online investments prior to making any large decisions. Some of the more reoccurring frauds can include the following: 

• Subscription Traps: “Good deals that can bait you into falling for expensive traps.” These can start as simple as a “free” or “low-cost” trial of products and services, and once you provide your credit card or banking information to cover shipping costs, you are unknowingly locked into a monthly subscription.

Tips: Trust your instincts! If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Research companies prior to signing up for online deals and read reviews (especially the negative ones). The Better Business Bureau is a good source of information. Regularly check your credit card statements for frequent or unknown charges.  

• Identity Theft: This is the collection or reproduction of one’s personal information to commit fraud in which thieves can make purchases using your accounts, obtain passports, receive government benefits, apply for loans, and much more. This can turn one’s life upside down. All it can take is the collection of a few personal details, which can be found on your social media accounts for one to obtain enough information to commit identity fraud.

Tips: Never provide your personal information over the phone, via text message, email, or the internet (unless on a known secure portal). Public computers or WI-FI hotspots can put your personal information at risk. Use a secure and reputable payment service when buying online.  

• Health & Medical Scams: “Magical cures that offer quick and easy fixes.” There are fraudsters out there who hope to take advantage of people’s suffering. The three most common types of health scams include miracle cures, weight loss programs, and fake online pharmacies. In most cases, they often appear as sponsored posts on social media or website pop-ups.

Tips: Remember that there are no magic pills or miracle cures, don’t trust claims about medicines, supplements, or other treatments. Get the facts straight from your healthcare professional. Know that if an online pharmacy is legitimate, it will require valid prescriptions.   

• Romance Scams: Keep your guard up and look out for potential scammers who will try to lower your defences by appealing to your romantic and compassionate side. They can prey on popular, legitimate dating sites. These types of fraudsters may claim to have a very sick family member or a desperate situation with which they need your help. Once you give them money, they often disappear.

Tips: Never send money or give financial details on a dating site. Trust your instincts; ask questions and carefully read the terms and conditions before signing up. Make sure you only use legitimate and reputable dating sites. Always check websites and addresses carefully, as scammers often mimic real web addresses. 

• Phishing & Smishing Scams: “Be on the lookout, messages are easily fabricated.” Phishing is when you get an unsolicited email that claims to be from a legitimate organization, such as financial institutions, businesses, or government agencies. Scammers ask you to provide or verify, either via email or by clicking on a web link, personal or financial information like your credit card number, passwords, and/or social insurance number. Smishing is the same thing, except that it occurs via text message.

Tips: Know that reputable organizations will generally never ask for your personal information through email or text. Ignore communications from unknown contacts. Delete suspicious messages as they can carry viruses (trojan horses). Don’t reply to spam messages (even to unsubscribe), and do not open any attachments or follow any links. Update your anti-virus software on all your devices. 

• Tax Scams: “Got a call or email from the CRA? Make sure it’s real!” You get a text message or an email from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) claiming you’re entitled to an extra refund, and all you need to do is provide your banking details. Watch out – this wonderful-if-true situation is exactly what a tax scam looks like. If you receive a suspicious email or text message that claims to be from CRA, contact them at the following number to confirm legitimacy: 1-800-959-8281.

Tips: The CRA will never use aggressive or threatening language, threaten you with arrest or sending the police, ask for payments via prepaid credit cards or gift cards, or use text messages to communicate under any circumstance. The CRA’s accepted payment methods are online banking, debit card, or pre-authorized debit. 

Other scams can include Door-to-Door Scams, Emergency Scams, Purchase of Merchandise Scams, and Sale of Merchandise Scams. 

Take note of requests for wire transfers, receiving overpayment for something, spelling mistakes, personal information requests, unsolicited calls, unsolicited friend requests on social media, astounding mail offers, and chat rooms on online games. Monitor elderly family members’ online banking and/or credit cards, as well as your children’s accounts for possible scam communications. 

Whether you’ve been scammed or targeted by a fraudster, you should always report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: www.antifraudcentre.ca or call 1-888-495-8501. 

For anyone interested in learning more about scams and frauds, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP detachment has “The Little Black Book of Scams” that can be handed out to persons at our front counter. 

Anyone with information regarding current or past investigations can contact the Hudson’s Hope RCMP directly at 250-783-5241 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Visit http://crimestoppersnebc.ca for advice on submitting tips online and to browse the areas “Most Wanted” page.

Written by Cpl. Erich Schmidt with the Hudson’s Hope RCMP