Fraud Prevention Month: Credit Card and Tech Support Scams continue in Richmond

Richmond

2025-03-07 07:35 PST

As Fraud Prevention Month begins this March, Richmond RCMP is alerting the public to current fraud trends, with a focus on impersonation fraud and how to recognize and avoid common scams.

Impersonation fraud occurs when a fraudster pretends to be someone else, such as a trusted organization, celebrity, or service, in order to deceive a victim into providing money, information, or access to their accounts.

Credit Card fraud trends

Richmond RCMP Economic Crime Unit (ECU) has recently observed an increase in in-person credit card fraud schemes, where fraudsters contact victims and attend their residences to collect what they allege are compromised bank cards, which may later be used by criminals to make large purchases.

In other cases, credit card fraud occurs as a result of lost or stolen wallets, vehicle break-ins, or other forms of theft. After obtaining a victim’s card, criminals may go on to use it to make purchases before it is reported lost or stolen.

How to protect yourself from Credit Card fraud:

• Limit the amount of personal information shared publicly, which may be used to target you directly.
• Conduct a credit check annually to detect any unauthorized activity.
• Do not leave valuables in vehicles.
• Make use of digital wallets when possible to reduce reliance on physical cards.

Tech Support scams

Tech support scams continue to be a concern identified by the ECU, with criminals impersonating well-known technology companies to defraud victims. In this scam, victims receive a pop-up message on their computer warning of malware or illegal activity, and are directed to call a phone number for support. The scammers give instructions to the victims to gain remote access to their computer, stealing banking details and other personal information. In some cases, victims are instructed to purchase gift cards to resolve the technical issue, and to provide the scammer with the gift card numbers and PINs.

Tips to protect yourself from Tech Support scams:

• Never click on pop-up links or call the phone numbers provided.
• If you receive a suspicious alert, seek an opinion from a trusted third-party.
• You can always unplug your computer and use services from reputable companies to fix any malware issues.
• Legitimate tech companies will never ask you to purchase gift cards to fix your computer.
• If you believe a scammer may have access to your information, change all passwords and login information.

Community outreach and education

Richmond’s ECU regularly engages with the community to raise awareness about fraud prevention. ECU Officers recently attended an outreach event at the Chabad in Richmond, discussing credit card fraud, phishing scams, investment fraud, and the use of AI in scams. Another session was conducted at the Yaohan Centre, where officers engaged with shoppers on the importance of fraud recognition and prevention strategies.

Education is our strongest weapon against fraud, says Corporal Denise Kam, Richmond RCMP Economic Crime Unit. Discussing frauds and scams regularly with friends and family can go a long way towards reducing the number of victims and helping keep our community safe. If you receive an unexpected offer or request for assistance, always verify its legitimacy though offline methods or a different communication platform, even if it’s from a source you think you recognize.

Richmond RCMP’s ECU encourages everyone to have frequent conversations with friends and family about scams and warning signs, and to take steps to report it if you’ve been victimized. Parents and caregivers are urged to educate children on identifying phishing attempts on electronic devices, and the importance of verifying online requests before responding.

Report fraud

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, report it to your police of jurisdiction, and contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Richmond residents can call the RCMP non-emergency line at 604-207-5189.

For more fraud prevention tips and a list of common scams, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.

Released by:

Email: richmond_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: richmond.rcmp.ca

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