Drinking Water Scam

On Saturday, Nov.13 2004 at approx. 1:00 pm, an elderly South Windsor resident received a telephone call from a female who claimed to be calling from the City of Windsor.  The caller told the resident that the City was conducting water quality testing in the area.  She spoke of tainted drinking water, and referred to the article in the Nov.13th edition of the Windsor Star, entitled, “What’s In Your Drinking Water”. 
    
The senior agreed to have her water tested, and about 30 minutes later a male appeared at her front door.  The male did not identify himself, nor was he wearing any type of identification badge.  Despite this, the senior let him into her house.   
    
The unidentified male initially went to her basement and then was checking her kitchen plumbing, when the senior’s son came into the house.   The unidentified male stated that everything appeared okay and hastily left in an older white vehicle, resembling a Chrysler Acclaim.  He is described as a black male, approx. 30yrs old, 6’ tall, about 180 lbs with a medium build, and spoke fluent French & English.  He was wearing a red plaid jacket, dark pants and a ballcap. 
    
Investigation has revealed that the City of Windsor does not conduct residential water testing, except on individual request.  This incident was most likely a scam operation, which was cut short by the fortunate arrival of the elderly resident’s son.
     
DO NOT ALLOW ANY UNIDENTIFIED PERSONS IN YOUR HOME.  If you are unsure, place a verifying telephone call to the organization that a person purports to represent.

If you have any information regarding this type of scam, please call the Windsor Police Financial Crimes Unit at 255-6700 #4330.

   "Maria Duval"

Recently, numerous Canadian police agencies have been receiving complaints of a mail scam being operated by a person named, “Maria Duval”.    Ms. Duval claims to know the secret of a mysterious “luck-attracting” force called THE EGRIGOR OF FRIDAY THE 13th. 
    
Ms. Duval claims that THE EGRIGOR OF FRIDAY THE 13th force has the power to heal sickness, find romance, bring about huge gambling successes, and fulfill one’s life ambitions.  In order to receive the powers of the EGRIGOR force, recipients of Ms. Duval’s offer are directed to remit $39.00 to a Windsor address before the arrival of the next Friday the 13th.  
    
Police investigation has revealed that “Maria Duval” is actually a ‘front’ used by a telemarketing firm based in the state of New York.   In fact, unbeknownst to the public, all the monies mailed to the Windsor address are immediately forwarded to the New York telemarketers.   Indeed, it is questionable whether  “Maria Duval” actually exists.
    
The Windsor Police Financial Crimes Unit believes that this is a scam operation, and discourages anyone from responding to its correspondence.  We are constantly being barraged by endless scams – some are against the law, and some are not.   Fraudsters are a very creative bunch.  The “Maria Duval” scam is yet another reason why we must be extra vigilant in protecting our hard-earned assets. 
    
If you believe that you, or someone you know, is being targeted in a scam please contact the Financial Crimes Unit at 255-6700 Ext #4330.

Nigerian Letter - Gordo Sweepstake Lottery

The citizens of Windsor, have, for the past few years, been targeted with a barrage of unsolicited scam letters with offers of huge sums of money.  These ‘too good to be true’ proposals arrive either by e-mail or through Canada Post, and notify the recipients of the chance to make anywhere up to $100 million.   The two most popular of these scams are known as “Nigerian Letter” and the “El Gordo Sweepstake Lottery”.   In each case, you are asked to provide your banking information to secure the funds.

These offers of quick money are OUTRIGHT SCAMS.  These scams are perpetrated by unscrupulous crooks.  Their only purpose is to defraud you from your hard-earned money.  These are hoping that you will be gullible enough to take the bait. 

DO NOT BE FOOLED.  IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE – THEN IT IS!

If you have received a ‘too good to be true’ offer similar to the above, please contact the Windsor Police Financial Crimes Unit at  519-255-6700 Ext. 4330.

The bank Inspector scam

On May 11, 2004 the victim, an elderly Windsor resident, received a telephone call from a male person who purported to be an employee of her bank.  The caller identified himself as “Mr. FOX”, and told her that the bank suspected that one of their employees had fraudulently removed $4,800.00 from her VISA account.   Mr. FOX requested her help in catching the employee in the act, and she agreed.  He subsequently instructed her to attend her bank and attempt to withdraw another $4,800.00 from her VISA account.   If she was successful, he would then meet her outside, and then return the monies to her VISA account.   Mr. FOX cautioned the victim not to tell anyone of their conversation, as they did not yet know which bank employees could be trusted. 

The victim subsequently attended her bank, and took out $4,800.00 from her VISA credit account.   She exited the bank where she was met by  “Mr. FOX”.  He took the money from her and told her to go right home and wait for his call.  The victim returned to her home.  She eventually got suspicious and called her bank, at which time she learned that she had been scammed. 

“Mr. FOX”  was described as a white male, 25-30 yrs old, 5’8”-10”, with a thin build.  He was wearing black pants and black coat, and a black  ‘chauffer-type’ hat.

The targets of these bank-type scams are almost always seniors.  Please remember that the intention of the caller is to convince seniors that they must help with the bank’s investigation.  Once the money is handed over to the phony bank official, the senior will NEVER SEE THE PERSON OR HIS/HER MONEY AGAIN.

If you have any information regarding a Bank Inspector scam please call the Financial Crimes Unit at 519-255-6700 Ext. 4335.

Identity Theft 

Recent developments in telecommunications and computer processing have made it simple for corporations and individuals to scatter your personal information across the globe, and, in turn, made life easier for the criminals. 

Identity Theft, the unauthorized collection and use of your personal information, is the fastest growing form of Fraud in North America.   It is estimated that in the last five years, 1 in 8 persons have had his/her identity stolen – and it has cost that person more than  $1,000.00 and 175 hours, over a two-year period, to restore his/her good name.

Luckily, you can take steps to protect your identity –

• Be suspicious of transaction you didn’t initiate
• Question the need to provide your Social Security number
• Reconcile all credit purchases with your monthly statement
• Review your credit statements, and close those accounts that you do not use
• Get annual reports of your credit status from Equifax or TransUnion
• Photocopy the contents of your wallet
• Immediately sign all new credit cards
• Your mailbox is an invitation to thieves.  Get a locking box, or retrieve your mail right after delivery
• Shred anything which contains your personal information
• When purchasing on-line, ensure the URL starts with  “https://”  ( the “s” is for secure), and beware of using pop-up forms 

If you discover you have been a victim of Identity Theft, immediately notify Windsor Police Services at 258-6111 and file a police report.  The Windsor Police Financial Crimes Unit can provide you with a checklist of steps you should use to restore your good name. 

Telephone scam

The caller identifies himself as an investigator with the Fraud Dept. of VISA.  He states that your account has been flagged for unusual activity, and asks if you have recently made a purchase in British Columbia (or other distant region) for $1,467.89.

When you reply that you haven't, the caller states that VISA will be happy to credit the amount of the fraudulent purchase to your account.  The caller then asks you to verify your VISA card number, and may ask other questions of a confidential nature.  He will then tell you that he requires this information in order to issue the $1,467.89 credit to your account.

While you are waiting for the credit to appear on your VISA statement, the caller now goes on a spending spree with your VISA number.

If you receive any unsolicited telephone calls from any persons who are trying to act in an official capacity, do not give up any personal information.  Obtain the caller's name and phone number and advise them you will call them back to verify the call and to give them your information.  Look up the number for VISA and contact VISA directly and ask for the person.  A Customer Service Representative will then be able to advise you what action you should take.