Hudson’s Hope RCMP warning public of ‘smishing’ scams

HUDSON’S HOPE, B.C. — The Hudson’s Hope RCMP says they would like to remind the public to stay vigilant and be wary of online scams, including subscription traps, identity theft, tax scams, health and medical scams, phishing and ‘smishing.’ 

“The amount of fraud reports that the Hudson’s Hope RCMP has been receiving has increased over the new year, and we’d like to remind persons to be extra vigilant and conduct some research into businesses or online investments prior to making any large decisions,” wrote Detachment Commander Cpl. Erich Schmidt in a monthly bulletin. 

On February 10th, Hudson’s Hope RCMP received a report of an investing fraud in which approximately $135,000 was lost, explained the bulletin. The money was sent to Graystone Venture Capital, which appears to be based out of London, England. The money was intended to be invested via Bitcoin. 

“Upon learning that this investment company was fraudulent, the monies were unable to be received,” wrote Schmidt. The file remains open for investigation.

Phishing comes in the form of unsolicited emails that claim to be from a legitimate organization, asking for personal or financial details, often masquerading as government agencies, businesses, or financial institutions. ‘Smishing’ is the same thing, but the scammers send their requests over text. Schmidt advises the public not to reply to spam messages and not open any attachments or links. Updating your anti-virus software is also advised. 

Identify theft is also a serious crime the public should watch out for, writes Schmidt, with public computers and wifi putting your personal information at risk, using the stolen info to 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,” he added, noting a good defence is to make sure the online services you use are secure. 

Fraudsters also lurk on online dating sites, Schmidt continued, preying on people by lowering their defences and appealing to their romantic and compassionate side. Take care to guard your financial details, he adds. 

“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,” Schmidt writes. 

Health and medical scams are another to look out for, added Schmidt, with scammers offering magical cures and quick fixes. There are no magic pills or cures to be found, and the public should rely on information from legitimate healthcare professionals. 

“There are fraudsters out there who hope to take advantage of peoples 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,” writes Schmidt. 

Subscription traps are also common, which start as ‘free’ or ‘low cost’ trials of products or services, locking victims into a monthly subscription once credit card information is given out. The Better Business Bureau is a good resource to use, write Schmidt, in addition to checking your credit card statements for frequent or unknown charges.

“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,” he added.