Scams

A neighbour thwarted the potential sale of a home in Oak Bay, which was listed without the owner’s consent. (Google street view)

B.C. home put up for sale without owner’s knowledge

Neighbour thwarts real estate scam with a phone call

 

Vancouver police are warning of a surge in scams involving cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, a form of digital currency, using the promises of romance or financial gain through virtual investment. (Pixabay)

Nearly $2M stolen in one week through cryptocurrency scams, say Vancouver police

Scammers exploit victims with fake promises of romance or financial gain through investments

 

The Better Business Bureau is warning people of a sizable increase in gift card scams. (Black Press Media file photo)

Gift card scam losses nearly tripled in three years: Better Business Bureau

Consumers over 65 most likely to lose money according to study

 

The Canada Revenue Agency sign outside the National Headquarters at the Connaught Building in Ottawa is seen on Monday, March 1, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

CRA locking over 800,000 taxpayers out of their online accounts

Tax agency says some usernames and passwords may have been obtained by ‘unauthorized third parties’

The Canada Revenue Agency sign outside the National Headquarters at the Connaught Building in Ottawa is seen on Monday, March 1, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The Cerebral Palsy Association of B.C. is warning of soliciting phone calls from imposters posing as team members. (Black Press - file photo)

Cerebral Palsy Association of B.C. warns of scammers

Organization does not solicit donations by phone

The Cerebral Palsy Association of B.C. is warning of soliciting phone calls from imposters posing as team members. (Black Press - file photo)
A letter being mailed Metro Vancouver homes is threatening receivers to pay them bitcoin or be killed. Police are saying its part of a mass-produced scam. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz)

Mail scam in Metro Vancouver demanding Bitcoin payment or death: RCMP

If readers do not send 0.05 bitcoin, the letter says they will be killed within 24 hours

A letter being mailed Metro Vancouver homes is threatening receivers to pay them bitcoin or be killed. Police are saying its part of a mass-produced scam. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz)
Some of the fake gold sold by con artists in B.C. RCMP said there have been reports of the scam in Richmond, Coquitlam, Burnaby, Langley and New Westminster from Jan. 17 through Jan. 22 (RCMP)

‘Dubai gold’ scam is back in the Lower Mainland

If someone offers to sell gold jewelry at a bargain, it’s probably fake, police warn

Some of the fake gold sold by con artists in B.C. RCMP said there have been reports of the scam in Richmond, Coquitlam, Burnaby, Langley and New Westminster from Jan. 17 through Jan. 22 (RCMP)
(Needpix.com)

Fraudsters projected to use pet scams to gouge over $3M from customers: BBB

The pandemic heavily contributed to the number of puppy scams

(Needpix.com)
The house that was listed for rent on Craigslist. When Obermillers told the actual owners about the scam, it came as a complete surprise as they were only trying to sell it. Google Maps screenshot.

Mission woman sounding alarm about Abbotsford rental scam

Wendy Obermiller said Craigslist scam tried to swindle her out of damaged deposit, 1st months rent

The house that was listed for rent on Craigslist. When Obermillers told the actual owners about the scam, it came as a complete surprise as they were only trying to sell it. Google Maps screenshot.
“Protect yourself from fraud. Never provide personal banking information by phone, computer, or mail to solicitors,” said Cpl. Mike Rail spokesperson for the Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment. (Metro Creative Graphics)

Chilliwack RCMP warns of Bitcoin scam to ‘prevent bomb from detonating’

Potential victim did right thing by not responding, reporting it to police, says RCMP spokesperson

“Protect yourself from fraud. Never provide personal banking information by phone, computer, or mail to solicitors,” said Cpl. Mike Rail spokesperson for the Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment. (Metro Creative Graphics)
This small dog was adopted out of California, through a Jack Russell Rescue organization, which was checked out ahead of time and confirmed legit. But some other adoption centres or dog breeders claiming to sell dogs from out-of-country or even over the internet need to be checked out thoroughly, first – Langley RCMP advise. (Langley Advance Times files)

WARNING: Is that puppy really up for adoption?

Langley RCMP report of two recent scams involving the purchase of dogs off the internet

  • Aug 19, 2020
This small dog was adopted out of California, through a Jack Russell Rescue organization, which was checked out ahead of time and confirmed legit. But some other adoption centres or dog breeders claiming to sell dogs from out-of-country or even over the internet need to be checked out thoroughly, first – Langley RCMP advise. (Langley Advance Times files)
The Noom app displayed on the Apple App Store on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020. (Apple App Store)

Better Business Bureau issues warnings over billing for weight loss app Noom

Bureau warned customers to read terms carefully when they sign up for a free trial, especially for health and wellness apps.

The Noom app displayed on the Apple App Store on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020. (Apple App Store)
Surrey RCMP say an impersonation scam in which Bitcoin or other payment is demanded in exchange for the waiving of criminal charges is continuing. (File photo)

Surrey officer-impersonation scam continues ‘almost daily’

Police reiterate warning that demands for Bitcoin in exchange for waived charges are fraudulent

Surrey RCMP say an impersonation scam in which Bitcoin or other payment is demanded in exchange for the waiving of criminal charges is continuing. (File photo)
In April 2020, the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre and the Better Business Bureau received 12,900 reports of fraud nationwide – an increase of 9,000 reports from the same month a year prior. (Pixabay)

Fraud reports spiked by nearly 45% in April as scammers take advantage of pandemic

COVID-19 an opportunity for scammers to put new spin on old tricks, police warn

In April 2020, the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre and the Better Business Bureau received 12,900 reports of fraud nationwide – an increase of 9,000 reports from the same month a year prior. (Pixabay)
Hang up – Local RCMP renews warning about tax season scammers

Hang up – Local RCMP renews warning about tax season scammers

CRA agents will not ask for info via phone or email, RCMP warns

Hang up – Local RCMP renews warning about tax season scammers
A call claiming your SIN is no good because of the COVID-19 outbreak is an obvious fraud, but there is concern some may still be fooled. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

No, your social insurance number is not cancelled because of COVID-19

A phone scam surfaces in the Lower Mainland

A call claiming your SIN is no good because of the COVID-19 outbreak is an obvious fraud, but there is concern some may still be fooled. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
(AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Grande trouble: BBB warns of bogus COVID-19 Starbucks gift card scam

Scammers disguise phishing scheme as COVID-19-related gift

(AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
(leakhena khat/Flickr)

When was the last time you changed your important passwords?

For National Password Day, and the BBB has some tips for increasing your online security

(leakhena khat/Flickr)
Congerdesign pixabay photo.

Young Langley family expected new puppy to arrive at airport, got scam instead

Surprise gift for kids turned into surprise theft from parents

Congerdesign pixabay photo.
FILE - This Aug. 2, 2018, file photo shows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration building behind FDA logos at a bus stop on the agency’s campus in Silver Spring, Md. U.S. regulators warned several companies to stop selling soaps, sprays and other concoctions with false claims that they can treat the new coronavirus or keep people from catching it. The warnings were emailed Friday, March 6, 2020, to companies based in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. and were announced Monday. Nearly all the targeted companies had complied by Monday morning, with mentions of the virus or products to treat it taken off their websites. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Canadian company among seven warned by FDA over false coronavirus claims

Owner of Vivify said in an email that the company ‘simply sells herbs with no claims on them’

FILE - This Aug. 2, 2018, file photo shows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration building behind FDA logos at a bus stop on the agency’s campus in Silver Spring, Md. U.S. regulators warned several companies to stop selling soaps, sprays and other concoctions with false claims that they can treat the new coronavirus or keep people from catching it. The warnings were emailed Friday, March 6, 2020, to companies based in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. and were announced Monday. Nearly all the targeted companies had complied by Monday morning, with mentions of the virus or products to treat it taken off their websites. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)