Police Warn About ‘Bank Investigator Scam’

Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 Beach Radio Vernon Pete McIntyre May 25, 2018 01:24 pm
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Police say more people in the Okanagan appear to be getting calls about what is called the ‘Bank Investigator Scam.’ Victims are called on their landline phone and informed of a non-existent suspicious charge, often times for an online purchase, processed on their personal credit card. The victim is then asked to provide their credit card number in order to cancel the made-up transaction, and are transferred to a pretend investigator. “More disturbingly, the fraudster will often prompt the card holder to immediately call the toll-free number on the back of their credit card. The scam artist will not hang up and will remain on the open telephone line, while the victim dials, then he/she represents themselves as the victim’s financial institution or re-directs them to yet another scam artist who extracts even more personal information,” says Kelowna RCMP Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey. In some cases victims have been convinced to transfer their funds to an external bank account to safe guard their funds until the investigation into the matter is complete, or victims grant these criminals full remote access to their computers to ‘continue’ their investigation.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website offers the following tips:

-Calls to landlines from scammers in the Bank Investigator Scam tend to happen in the early morning, oftentimes when a victim is still asleep and or not yet fully alert. Be sure to be alert when dealing with important financial matters;

-Financial institutions will never request transferring funds to an external account for security reasons;
-Criminals are known to use “Call-Spoofing” technology, which is readily available, to mislead victims. Do not assume that phone numbers appearing on call display are accurate;
-Never provide remote access to your computer systems to anyone at any time.

RCMP in Kelowna have been made aware of these scamming attempts locally, but say there are no documented police reports of a successful defrauding taking place.

Scam artists pretending to be Canada Revenue Agency return

by Dale Boyd - Penticton Western News posted Dec 15, 2015 at 4:00 PM

A scam involving a phone call from fake Revenue Canada agents is making the rounds again according to RCMP. Scammers are “abrasive” on the phone police said. “They are looking to take advantage of the elderly and those who are not aware. Revenue Canada does not phone and make demands,” said Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth. Penticton RCMP have received multiple reports from citizens who said they had been reached out to by the alleged CRA staff.

RCMP issue warning over persistent phone scammers in the Okanagan

September 10, 2015 - 7:10 AM by Charlotte Helston InfoTel.ca
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Residents are being reminded to watch for red flags if they get a call from someone claiming to be from Revenue Canada. Clues the call may be a scam include getting pressured by the person to pay taxes immediately over the phone, or being threatened that police will come and arrest them if they don’t. Police continue to receive dozens of calls every day about the phone scam, Vernon RCMP Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says in a media release. Police most recently issued a warning about the same scam in early August. “The scammers have been consistent with the phone number they provide and their method of attempting to extract money and personal information from victims,” Noseworthy says. “RCMP are reiterating that if you receive a call like this, you should never disclose any personal or banking information.” On at least one occasion, the scammer claimed to be a police officer on their way to put the victim in jail. If you have become a victim of this or any other scam, and have provided personal information or money, contact your local police detachment, Noseworthy says. You can also call and report phone scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online for tracking purposes.

Credit card skimmers prompt public warning by RCMP

August 19, 2015 - 4:30 PM John McDonald INFO-Tel Multimedia

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Police in the Central Okanagan are once again warning about card skimmers after the devices were discovered in Vernon and Kamloops. Spokeswoman Const. Anne Donnelly of the Kelowna RCMP fraud section, said in a press release there are ways to foil the scam, which requires both your debit card number and your personal identification number. The skimmer is inserted into the legitimate debit/credit card slot on a gas pump. It reads your card number while a strategically placed camera records your PIN when you punch it in. Just by covering the PIN pad when punching in your number you can foil the attempted fraud even if the skimmer gets your card data. “Cover your hand when entering your PIN," she says. "Getting the data of the mag stripe of your card is only part of the puzzle.”

She also recommends pulling gently on the card slot to see if anything comes loose or moves around. If anything appears suspicious, Donnelly recommends you avoid using the machine and report it immediately to the business where it is located.

CRA phone scam

by Castanet Staff | Story: 145599 - Aug 7, 2015 / 6:32 pm

A warning to residents living in Vernon, a Canada Revenue Agency phone scam has hit the area. Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says in this scam, a person will receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from Revenue Canada, saying that taxes are owed. "The victim is pressured to pay the allegedly owed taxes immediately over the phone. If the victim is hesitant, the scammer threatens that the RCMP will come and arrest them. In at least one instance, another scammer has phoned claiming to be an RCMP officer on the way to the victim's residence to put them in jail.” If you receive a call like this, do not disclose any personal or banking information, explains Noseworthy. "Ensure that you verify any claims with Canada Revenue Agency yourself prior to taking any action,” she says. More information pertaining to this scam is available on Canada Revenue Agency's website. If you have been a victim of this scam, please report it to your local police detachment and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.

Kamloops Mounties release photos of credit-card skimmer

By: Kamloops This Week  in Crime, Law & Order, News, Police July 31, 2015

Kamloops Mounties have released photos of a credit-card skimmer that was installed in a gas-pump payment slot in Valleyview last week. Staff Sgt. Edward Preto said the photos are being released to make the public aware of the type of card skimmer used to capture credit-card information at the Chevron gas station at 1795 Trans-Canada Hwy. That unit has been sent to the RCMP’s technical unit for analysis, to determine if the scam netted thieves customers’ PIN numbers. Preto said Chevron has told police it has put measures in place to prevent such incidences from happening at all Chevron gas stations in British Columbia. As illustrated in the photographs, the skimmer is difficult to detect and appears to be a normal part of card reader. Skimmers are used by organized crime throughout Canada to access credit-card information. Skimmed data could be used to manufacture a counterfeit card or the data could be used to make telephone or Internet purchases (also referred to as “card not present” fraud). While a Chevron employee discovered the skimmer on July 16, Mounties did not alert the public, via the media, until July 28.  Police explained the 12-day delay by saying they did not want to cause “undue alarm if there was no risk.” An analysis of the skimmer and a review of Chevron records should determine whether the card skimmer was able to collect data. If there was no remote download, police said it’s unlikely the scam netted any information before it was discovered. To be certain, Mounties are advising motorists who gassed up on or shortly before July 16 to review bank and credit-card records.

RCMP issue Revenue Canada email scam alert

March 13, 2014 - 5:05 PM Info-Tel Multi-media
VERNON – Just when you thought it was safe to look at your email messages, the scam artists are back at it. The Vernon RCMP have issued a scam.  RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says there is an email making the rounds that claims to be from Revenue Canada.The email lures in it’s unsuspecting victim with the promise of a tax refund. Even the officer in charge of the Armstrong RCMP detachment has received the fraudulent message. “It just goes to show that everyone is a target to this type of deceit to get your personal information so they can relieve you of your money, or worse, your identity,” Molendyk says. Several seniors in the Armstrong area have reported the bogus Revenue Canada emails to police.Molendyk says they are reminding everyone not to respond to this type of solicitation.If you get a suspicious email the police want to hear about it. You can also call the National Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

Here's what the email looks like:

Scamming it up

January 24, 2014 - 11:22 AM Howard Alexander Info-Tel Multimedia

SCAMMERS CONSTANTLY CHANGE TACTICS TO GET YOUR MONEY
KELOWNA - Criminals are coming up with new ways to steal your identity and make off with your hard earned money.The RCMP are warning of three scams that are making the rounds in a big way. They rely on the tried-and-true fraud technics that have been around for years.Const. Kris Clark says over the past couple of weeks they have been getting more and more reports about phishing scams that are specifically designed to get your financial information. They are so widespread the police have even given them names. They're called the Microsoft Scam, the Revenue Canada Scam and the Scareware Scam.
The Microsoft Scam
It’s a cold call from a person claiming to represent a well-known brand like Microsoft. They tell you (the potential victim) that they have detected a problem like a virus on your computer. The scam revolves around getting you to give them remote access to your computer. The scammer wants to show where the fake problems are and convince you to pay a fee to fix the problem. There’s actually nothing wrong with your computer. Both your credit card information and the data on your computer are compromised.
The Revenue Canada Scam
It begins with a cold call, an email or letter claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The scam asks you to verify your personal information, such as social insurance, credit card, bank account and passport numbers. The scammer says if you give them this information you’ll get a refund or a benefit payment. Providing your personal information will not get you a refund or payment. It will only compromise your credit.
Scareware Scam
This is a nasty one. The Scareware or Ransomware scam, is a pop-up message that says your computer has been frozen, or will be frozen, unless you pay. The virus was piggy-backed on some other data you downloaded from the internet. The message is designed to shock you and create instant anxiety so you won’t think, you’ll just send the money. Even if you pay the money, your computer won’t be unlocked. You’ll never get the money back. You'll need to call a computer technician to get rid of the infection.

All of these scams are preventable if people stop to think. You should never give out personal information to someone you don't know. And the old cliche is true, "If it's sounds to good to be true it probably is." If you’d like more information on the Revenue Canada Scam go to the CRA website. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s website is a good resource on the phishing and other scams that are out there.

So-called Microsoft scam hits Okanagan

Kelowna RCMP

File # Multiple
Mon Aug 26 10:29:00 PDT 2013
A well known ploy to pilfer your pennies has reared its ugly head again in Kelowna recently as police have received a number of reports of the so-called Microsoft scam.  The scam consists of a cold-call from a person claiming to represent a well-known brand, such as Microsoft, who then proceeds to tell the victim they are checking into a computer problem, infection or virus that has been detected on their computer. The scammer gets the victim to give up remote access to the their computer and will then spend some time on the computer trying to demonstrate where the 'problems' are in order to convince the victim to pay a fee (usually hundreds of dollars) for a service that will 'fix' the computer. While there is probably nothing wrong with their computer, the scammer has tricked the person into believing a problem exists. This leads to your credit card information being compromised as it is given to the scammer. In some cases, the 'service' they offer may even be the installation of malware or spyware, making your computer a fountain of information for them.
Police have received at least four reports of this scam over the past few days. The callers have been using very aggressive tactics and have even called back multiple times. Do not give in to their fraud as you will only be out the cash you paid for the phoney service. Never give out personal or financial information over the phone as you never know how that information will be used. And never allow someone you don’t know to have remote access to your computer, no matter how legitimate their sales pitch sounds!
For more information on frauds or to report, please go to External link, opens in a new windowwww.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
Released by
Cst. Kris Clark
Media Relations Officer
Kelowna RCMP
350 Doyle Ave, Kelowna V1Y 6V7
Office: 250-470-6361
Fax: 250-470-6348
Email: bcrcmp@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Car theft deterrent just a cash grab, expert says

CBC News Posted: Apr 4, 2013 9:30 PM ET
 Some Canadian car shoppers are getting duped into buying an expensive and ineffective car theft deterrent, says one automotive expert. During an investigation of Globali, a Canadian company touting itself as a leading “vehicle registration, protection and recovery network,” CBC’s Marketplace found car buyers may pay between $400 and $700 for a service that expert Mark Whinton says is a just a cash grab. “It’s ineffective, completely ineffective,” he said. “No thief worth their salt is ever going to run up to a car, see it has a sticker on it and say, ‘Geez, I’m not touching this one.’ “It’s about automotive dealers making some extra money at your expense.” Whinton estimates the Globali service costs the dealership between $50-$70 to install per vehicle, but he's seen dealers charge the customer as much as $700. He says the entire system misleads customers starting at the point of purchase, since some dealers tack it on as an extra cost without telling the buyer, or say that it’s a mandatory add-on. “Most buyers are unaware of it completely,” he told Marketplace co-host Tom Harrington. “If they happen to notice that, they’re told, ‘Look, it comes with the car.’ “A lot of dealers are telling customers, ‘We can’t take it off the car, it’s on it now. And you have to purchase it.’” Dan Ormond unwittingly paid $399 plus tax for Globali when he bought his Jeep in 2011.
“I would have questioned it because I have full-blown insurance and I don’t understand even what this is about,” he said. “I would not have purchased it if it was offered to me."

For all that extra cash, car owners are left with a weak deterrent.  Globali’s system consists of small stickers placed throughout the car which, if removed, leave unique registration numbers readable with an ultraviolet light.  Marketplace’s investigation found multiple flaws in the system, starting with the stickers. Whinton says the Globali numbers are essentially redundant. “The car is marked in many many locations with a 17-digit vehicle identification number put on by the manufacturer. So it already has serial numbers all over it … And that clearly doesn’t deter thieves.” Even if the numbers were useful, Marketplace also found they’re easy to remove; Whinton was able to erase the numbers with a quick rub of sandpaper. Globali responded with an email statement which read, “We have never had a situation where one of our stickers, properly applied, has been removed and the imprint removed using ordinary means.” The company also said it would be “quick to address any issue found with the performance of our marking system.”

The numbers aren’t very useful even if they’re intact, since many police departments don’t use Globali to recover stolen vehicles.  The company’s website says it “unites vehicle owners, dealers and law enforcement agencies,” but Marketplace found that many police agencies aren’t even aware of the service. “They’re trying to insinuate it … like, ‘We have a very close working relationship [with police],” Whinton says. “In fact, the police hardly know who they are.” Marketplace contacted police departments in Winnipeg, Montreal, Regina, Halifax and Calgary, all of which said they’d never heard of Globali. A Toronto police spokesman said he was aware of it but never used it, while another in Vancouver said he would use as a last resort.  Globali’s email statement countered that the company “would not generally expect the average police force to be aware of Globali.com. Auto theft units are a specialized division within law enforcement.” “I’m not sure what to make of [Globali’s] claim,” says Staff Sgt. Robert Rutledge, who works in the Calgary police’s auto theft unit. “I have 23 years of policing experience, including time as an auto theft detective … and until today, I’ve never heard of Globali.”

Starts at 12:15 mark   http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/episod...edition-1.html

Alleged door-to-door scammer busted

by Jennifer Zielinski - Castanet Mar 18, 2013 / 4:00 pm

A Kelowna man, possibly responsible for defrauding more than 40 victims was arrested in connection with a card-skimming operation over the weekend. Police responded to a possible fraud complaint on March 16 around 1:30 p.m. on the 500 block of Glenmeadows Road, after receiving a call that a man wearing an ID card and stating that he was collecting donations on behalf of the Ronald McDonald House Charity had apparently just taken money from a resident with the use of a portable debit device. Cst. Kris Clark says the resident immediately phoned Ronald McDonald House and was advised that this was an ongoing scam. After providing the police with a description the suspect was taken into custody a short distance away. James Alexander Graham, 22, who is known to police, remains in custody and is to appear in court on Tuesday March, 19. "Neighbourhood inquiries indicated that Graham had canvassed the area and there were further victims. Subsequent investigation also revealed that this may be the tip of the iceberg with over 47 victims in just a few days in both Kelowna and Salmon Arm," explains Clark. Graham has been charged with 4 counts each of Fraud Under $5,000, Theft Under $5,000, Personation, and False Pretences. More charges may be recommended pending further investigation. If you have been a victim of this scam, please call your local police detachment and report any compromised credit cards to your financial institution.

Happy tax time from internet scammers

 Charlotte Helston Info-Tel Multimedia Feb 25, 2013 - 1:48 PM

The email provides the contact information of one Barbara HC)bert and notes that a "refund can be delayed a variety of reason." Watch for spelling and grammar mistakes like these in verifying the authenticity of suspicious emails.

(CHARLOTTE HELSTON /InfoTel News Ltd)

Vernon RCMP are alerting citizens to an email scam posing as a tax refund notification. The email appears to be from Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. "It looks very authentic," Gord Molendyk, spokesperson for the RCMP, said. After receiving several calls about the scam, RCMP are warning residents to watch out and read their emails with a critical eye. Molendyk said the email has grammar and punctuation errors in it, a red flag typical of most internet scams. "Here is another example of individuals attempting to get money from our honest residents," Molendyk said. The criminals behind the scam are "phishing" for personal information such as credit card details, usernames and passwords. Aside from accessing bank accounts, the individuals can also commit identity theft if they acquire enough information.

Phone scammers use Cops as cover

by John O'Connor - CASTANET  Oct 16, 2012 / 10:00 am

RCMP warn Okanagan residents to be alert for a high-pressure phone solicitation scam involving the Cops for Kids slogan.   RCMP say the scammers recently targeted a Vernon woman, who became suspicious and called police after the alleged boss of the voice on the phone told her they were having troubles completing the transaction and that the transaction would not appear on her credit card statement. Similar calls have been received in other parts of the Okanagan and BC. “The RCMP would like to remind the public that the RCMP and the Cops for Kids Charitable Foundation do not participate in any type of fundraising through cold phone calls,” says Cpl. Dan Moskaluk. “The Cops For Kids Charitable Foundation has advised the RCMP that they are fielding a high number of inquiries and complaints of aggressive and pressure-tactic telemarketing but confirm that these calls are not coming from Cops for Kids but, in some cases, from a telemarketing firm apparently acting on behalf of a program called Cops for Kids Safety that is stated to be affiliated with a police association unrelated to the RCMP.” Police advise the public to be vigilant and to question those collecting funds for any cause. “There are resources, including the Better Business Bureau and the Canadian Radio-Telivision Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), that the public can utilize to verify legitimacy of any fundraising initiatives.”Information on how to donate to the legitimate Cops For Kids can be reviewed online at anytime throughout the year  or on Facebook.

United Way warns of solicitation scam

By Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 10, 2012 1:00 PM
The United Way is alerting people of a scam targeting its organization.  United Way of North Okanagan Columbia Shuswap executive director Linda Yule issued a release Wednesday, stating it has come to the United Way’s attention that perpetrators have scammed citizens in Vernon and the Shuswap by going door-to-door asking for donations to the United Way. “The funds are being collected using hand-held debit machines, and donors are sometimes being offered Tim Hortons gift cards as a reward for donating,” said Yule, who is adamant this is not how the United Way canvasses for funds. “United Way, in our region,” does not canvass door-to-door,” she said. “As well, we do not offer rewards to donors and do not use hand-held card readers.” The individuals who are canvassing appear clean- cut and presentable. They were in the Shuswap area last weekend and in Vernon Tuesday, according to Yule. “The debit information gathered door-to-door was used to extract additional unapproved funds from donors’ accounts,” she said. Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP Cpl. Gerry Kovacs said most legitimate charities set up for online donations to protect donations and personal contact information. “Most charities do not use hand-held card readers,” said Kovacs, who advised residents not to give out any information to somebody coming to their door. “If it happens, contact the charity right away to see if they are, in fact, canvassing that way and in that particular area at that time,” he said. “Or, if you’re still unsure, call the police.” If possible, get a good description of the individuals and contact the RCMP immediately. If you have been victimized please contact your bank to report the transactions and contact your local RCMP at one of the non-emergency numbers. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. United Way is a trusted charity that has been in the community for 51 years where local donations support 28 charities delivering 35 programs supporting kids, youth, families and seniors.

B.C. natural gas company wants fraud probe expunged - Active Energy accused of forging contracts

 CBC News Posted: Sep 8, 2012 2:11 PM PT 
A natural gas wholesaler is trying to block the findings of a B.C. Utilities Commission fraud investigation. Earlier this year, police uncovered more than two dozen fake Active Energy natural gas contracts at small businesses, from flower shops to funeral homes, throughout the province. Ontario-based Active Energy buys bulk gas then resells it to customers in four provinces: B.C., Quebec, Saskatchewan and Ontario. The B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC) paid for an investigation, but Active Energy has applied to have it expunged, meaning it will never be released to the public. Kathy Simon says a representative forged her signature after she declined to sign a natural gas contract at her downtown Cranbrook store. "My understanding is these young guys were working on commission and it was just as easy to forge some signatures and get the money and run," she told CBC News. "I believe this involves a lot of businesses across B.C." Simon was alerted to the issue when her gas bill spiked from $50 to $400. She says she is frustrated, but not surprised the company is seeking to have the investigation expunged. "Maybe we need something as big as Bernie Madoff to actually get some action here," she said. BCUC commissioners will decide if the investigation is released to the public. Active Energy officials could not be reached for a comment. Police in the East Kootenay are also conducting their own investigation into Active Energy.
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• Also see: http://vernonblog.blogspot.ca/2012/09/investigation-into-utilities-fraud.html  
• http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/04/30/bc-active-gas-contracts.html

Investigation into Utilities Fraud Continuing - Cranbrook

RCMP File # 2011-10708  2012-09-07 10:55 PDT
In December of last year the Cranbrook RCMP initiated a fraud investigation in relation to local business owners who noted irregularities with their natural gas bills. The resulting police  investigation determined that these businesses, had either the owner’s signatures or an employee’s signature forged on a contract with Active Energy, or Active Renewable Marketing Ltd., an independent gas marketer licensed by the BC Utilities Commission. FortisBC is the supplier of natural gas to the area. As a result of these forged contracts Active Marketing Ltd. or Active Energy is listed on invoices/bills sent out by FortisBC. The Cranbrook RCMP investigation has identified two suspects who were not direct employees of either FortisBC or Active Energy but were sub-contracted agents working on commission. In their continuing investigation, the Cranbrook RCMP sent out close to 90 letters to Cranbrook and Kimberley businesses asking them to review their natural gas bills and to contact their local RCMP if they note any irregularities in those bills. To date, the Cranbrook RCMP have confirmed 25 forged contracts and are looking into criminal charges of Uttering Forged Document against the two suspects. If anyone has any additional information about this or any other crime they can call the Cranbrook RCMP at 250-489-3471 or East Kooteney Crimestoppers (1-800-222-TIPS)

Door-door-scams lead to warning from Vernon RCMP

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 29, 2012 8:00 AM

Vernon residents are being warned about door-to-door scams.  There have been cases of individuals approaching residences and saying they are with UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund). They have an automated card reader with them so donations can be made through debit or credit card. "We've had a few complaints. It appears to be a scam," said Gord Molendyk, RCMP spokesperson. In one case, a resident thought they had made a $10 donation. "Several hundred dollars were taken out of their account," said Molendyk. Molendyk admits that some scam artists can come across very professional and because of that, residents must be vigilant. "Be very cautious and be aware that scammers are out there," he said, adding that residents should still be encouraged to support charitable groups. "UNICEF is a good organization and there are safe ways to contribute to them such as their website."
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Also see Aug 24 Posting
http://vernonblog.blogspot.ca/2012/08/kelowna-mounties-give-tips-on-how-not.html

Kelowna Mounties give tips on how not to get ripped off

By Editorial - Kelowna Capital News  Published: August 23, 2012 10:00 AM

The Kelowna RCMP are issuing a warning to beware people going door to door soliciting donations.  "The Kelowna area has seen a resurgence in a previous door-to-door scam in which individuals appear to be canvassing for UNICEF, but are actually trolling for your personal information," said Const. Kris Clark. "The phony fundraisers advise people that they can only accept donations via debit or credit card and carry with them a portable debit/credit card machine. Police believe the machine to be capable of capturing the victim’s financial information, including their PIN. Once this information is compromised, a fraudulent card is manufactured giving the fraudster the ability to make unauthorized withdrawals and purchases from the unsuspecting victim's account." Previously, victims were provided with a realistic looking receipt and some ready brew Starbucks coffee as a thank you. It should be noted that the scammer may not be solely using UNICEF as a cover, and may in fact be using other charities to sell his deceit.

New credit card scam hits Kelowna

Kelly Hayes - Castanet  May 8, 2012 / 10:48 am
It's called RFID technology, indicated by the fancy stamp on your credit or debit card. Radio Frequency Identification Device was designed to combat  fraud, however it has opened the doors to a new type of high tech crime, electronic pick pocketing, which has been highlighted in the US, but is relatively new to Canada. The old swipe style debit or credit cards don't have the new RFID technology, but the ones that do, leave people vulnerable to theft, by allowing a signal to be picked up by a receiver. A receiver can pick a signal without having to touch the victim or their card, it sounds like a sophisticated electronic hacking device, but that is not the case.  According to Paul Lenz of Spy Vs Spy in Kelowna, a cell phone can become a receiver if programmed with the proper app. You just hold the cell phone next to the card holder's pocket and you can get the credit card number. Cst. Kris Clark says RCMP in Kelowna are now putting out a warning, and advising consumers to protect themselves from electronic pick pocketers by getting a metal sleeve for credit and debit cards. "The metal sleeve prevents the transmission, so you can't capture that information from a RFID reader." The metal sleeves can be purchased at Spy Vs Spy, a commercial and residential security company that has partnered with the Kelowna Crime Prevention Association to help protect Okanagan residents from situations like fraud. The cards are three for $10, allowing for one card per sleeve, and the company is located at 1850 Kirschner Road.

BC Hydro scam circulating

Published: February 08, 2012 12:00 PM  Morning STAR

BC Hydro is warning its customers to be aware of a potential telemarketing scam.  Reports have been made around B.C., including here in Vernon, where telemarketers claim to be calling from BC Hydro to sell energy-saving devices called “Hydro Power Savers.”  In some instances, telemarketers also incorrectly claim they are in possession of the customer’s power consumption information. BC Hydro does not endorse “Hydro Power Savers” and has seen similar potential scams in other provinces, including Alberta. In addition, customers’ power consumption information is strictly confidential and is not shared with third parties. As part of the calls, the alleged telemarketers are reportedly claiming that the “Hydro Power Savers” can save customers money on their bills. Customers who have been contacted by telemarketers about “Hydro Power Savers” are encouraged not to enter into any agreement for purchase.  The Better Business Bureau has included “power saving scams” as one of the Top Ten Scams for 2012. Customers who would like to file a complaint can visit the website of the Better Business Bureau serving Mainland British Columbia (BBB) at www.mbc.bbb.org or call the BBB at 604-682-2711,in the interior call, 1-888-803-1222, and on Vancouver Island, call 250-386-6348. Report misleading advertising to the Competition Bureau website: competitionbureau.gc.ca.