What's Happening?
SCAM ALERT: Smart Haven Sales Rep
Recently in Chilliwack there have been multiple reports of a Smart Haven sales rep going door to door attempting to sell home security systems. The individual offers a 3-5 year term with the monthly fee being added onto your Telus bill. In reality, Telus does not deal with this company at all. Fear tactics may be used, such as telling you that people in your neighborhood have been broken into and wished they had taken his offer. DO NOT GIVE OUT PERSONAL INFORMATION such as credit card information, phone numbers, or email addresses.
How to prevent and deal with door to door scams:
-install a security camera at your front door
-put up signs such as "No Solicitors" or "No Trespassing"
-use a gate or fence to help deter fraudsters from getting to your door
-Say "no" decisively
-Never let a salesman in. If you must step away from the conversation, do not leave your door open
-never pay in cash or give out credit card information
-ask detailed questions
-require written contracts
If you feel you may have been a victim of a door-to-door scam, contact the Chilliwack RCMP through their non-emergency line: (604) 792-4611. For emergencies, phone 911.
How to prevent and deal with door to door scams:
-install a security camera at your front door
-put up signs such as "No Solicitors" or "No Trespassing"
-use a gate or fence to help deter fraudsters from getting to your door
-Say "no" decisively
-Never let a salesman in. If you must step away from the conversation, do not leave your door open
-never pay in cash or give out credit card information
-ask detailed questions
-require written contracts
If you feel you may have been a victim of a door-to-door scam, contact the Chilliwack RCMP through their non-emergency line: (604) 792-4611. For emergencies, phone 911.
New Phone Scam: Package Intercepted by "CBSA"
You will answer your phone and a robs-caller will tell you that the Canada Border Services Agency intercepted a package containing an illegal substance at the border and it was addressed to you. You will then be directed to press 1. DO NOT PRESS ANY KEYS. Hang up the phone. It's a SCAM!
To report a fraud contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
To report a fraud contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
Report Suspicious Activity
Offenders check houses to see if anyone is home - this includes ringing the doorbell, knocking on door, and looking in windows. If nobody is there, the offender will then attempt to enter the home in order to steal things such as electronics, money, or jewelry. If you see this type of suspicious activity (e.g., someone looking in a house's windows) report it to the Chilliwack RCMP through their non-emergency line - (604) 792-4611. Please be on the lookout for suspicious activity, and report it to help keep your neighborhoods safe.
SCAM ALERT: Door-to-door scams
It is important to beware of the warning signs of this type of scam, as well as how to prevent it. The person soliciting may be wearing a fake uniform – check for their ID and contact said company to confirm that it is a legitimate employee. Do not let this solicitor into your home. One example is a door-to-door maintenance scam, in which case the salesman may offer free carpet cleaning for a chance to case your home. Other examples include asking to check your furnace, or asking for donations on behalf of a charity/non-profit organization.
Warning Signs of Door-to-Door Scams:
Warning Signs of Door-to-Door Scams:
- Demanding upfront payment
- Too good to be true
- Only accepting cash
- Using scare tactics
- Using verbal estimates or agreements instead of a written quote
- Asking suspicious questions, such as when you are normally away from your home
- Install a security camera at your front door
- Put up signs such as “No Solicitors” or “No Trespassing”
- Use a gate or fence to help deter fraudsters from getting to your door
- Say “no” decisively
- As stated above, never let a salesman in. If you must step away from the conversation, do not leave your door open.
- Never pay in cash
- Ask detailed questions
- Require written contracts
Vehicle Thefts:
Recently there has been a string of car thefts happening across Chilliwack! Each theft has had one thing in common; Keys being left in the ignition and the cars being left running. Citizens are preoccupied by running back into the house/garage/store for a minute or two and returning to find their vehicle stolen.
We want to remind everyone to always take out the keys whenever they are going to be away from their vehicle, even if its only for 30 seconds!
The "Crime of Opportunity" only needs a few seconds to be committed.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We want to remind everyone to always take out the keys whenever they are going to be away from their vehicle, even if its only for 30 seconds!
The "Crime of Opportunity" only needs a few seconds to be committed.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Scam Alert:
- Door-to-Door Scams
o Some companies & organizations are conducting door-to-door; however, we advise everyone to firstly ask for the individuals name and ID number, confirm that this individual is an employee with the company – via phone call – and also confirm that their company is in fact running a door-to-door solicitation
- CRA Phone Call Scams
o Please be advised that the CRA will never – even during COVID-19 – issue arrest warrants or ask for payments over the phone; if you receive a call asking you to pay to avoid arrest, hang up and call the Chilliwack RCMP Non-emergency line at (604) 792-4611
- SIM Swapping Scams
o This relatively new scam comes in the form of an email; the scammer will contact you under an email domain similar to your provider’s and offer “limited time offers”, these can be difficult to spot, however if the email senders name does not specifically state Shaw/Telus/Rogers, etc. then it is likely a scam. To make sure, contact your provider to confirm the limited time offers that are listed in the email
- Amazon Scamming Information
o Individuals are receiving calls and texts from scammers staging as Amazon employees. They will ask for Credit Card info or your Amazon Account details, they may even as to remotely connect to your computer. This is a scam and should be reported to the local authorities.
Stay safe from scammers this holiday season by getting to know their most common scams:
Here are some important tips so that you can identify scams and keep your account and information safe:
- "Dubai Gold Scam"
o This scam is where the suspect will convince unsuspecting victims regarding Dubai Gold for cheap prices ($200 - $1000). This has been happening frequently across the Lower Mainland. If this happens to you please contact the RCMP as well as the BC Fraud Alert Line.
If you believe you may have been scammed, call the RCMP Non-emergency line (604 792-4611) and the BC Fraud Alert Line (1-800-348-5358).
We hope you are all staying safe.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
o Some companies & organizations are conducting door-to-door; however, we advise everyone to firstly ask for the individuals name and ID number, confirm that this individual is an employee with the company – via phone call – and also confirm that their company is in fact running a door-to-door solicitation
- CRA Phone Call Scams
o Please be advised that the CRA will never – even during COVID-19 – issue arrest warrants or ask for payments over the phone; if you receive a call asking you to pay to avoid arrest, hang up and call the Chilliwack RCMP Non-emergency line at (604) 792-4611
- SIM Swapping Scams
o This relatively new scam comes in the form of an email; the scammer will contact you under an email domain similar to your provider’s and offer “limited time offers”, these can be difficult to spot, however if the email senders name does not specifically state Shaw/Telus/Rogers, etc. then it is likely a scam. To make sure, contact your provider to confirm the limited time offers that are listed in the email
- Amazon Scamming Information
o Individuals are receiving calls and texts from scammers staging as Amazon employees. They will ask for Credit Card info or your Amazon Account details, they may even as to remotely connect to your computer. This is a scam and should be reported to the local authorities.
Stay safe from scammers this holiday season by getting to know their most common scams:
- Order confirmation scams. These are unexpected calls/texts/emails that often refer to an unauthorized purchase and ask you to act urgently to confirm or cancel the purchase. These scammers try to convince you to provide payment or bank account information, install software to your computer/device, or purchase gift cards.
- Tech support scams. Scammers create fake websites claiming to provide tech support for your devices and Amazon services. Customers who land on these pages are lured to contact the scammer and fall prey to their schemes.
Here are some important tips so that you can identify scams and keep your account and information safe:
- Trust Amazon-owned channels. Always go through the Amazon mobile app or website when seeking customer service, tech support, or when looking to make changes to your account.
- Be wary of false urgency. Scammers may try to create a sense of urgency to persuade you to do what they're asking. Be wary any time someone tries to convince you that you must act now.
- Never pay over the phone. Amazon will never ask you to provide payment information, including gift cards (or “verification cards”, as some scammers call them) for products or services over the phone.
- "Dubai Gold Scam"
o This scam is where the suspect will convince unsuspecting victims regarding Dubai Gold for cheap prices ($200 - $1000). This has been happening frequently across the Lower Mainland. If this happens to you please contact the RCMP as well as the BC Fraud Alert Line.
If you believe you may have been scammed, call the RCMP Non-emergency line (604 792-4611) and the BC Fraud Alert Line (1-800-348-5358).
We hope you are all staying safe.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chilliwack Break & Enter Spree
Recently there has been an increase of car break-ins as well as garage break-ins in Chilliwack! The suspects have been able to gain access to the garages by using the garage openers left in vehicles. We advise everyone to conduct a “9 p.m. Routine” and remove all values (including keys, garage door openers, etc.) at 9 p.m.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Crime Reporting Options
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________