New Westminster police warn of marketplace scams after $3K stolen via fake e-transfer link
Police in New Westminster are warning the public of e-transfer scams targeting marketplace users.
The call for caution comes after one resident was swindled out of $3,000 via an Interac scam, Dec. 12, said the New Westminster Police Department in a release Friday.
The online scams usually involve fake emails sending an Interac e-Transfer notification that looks as though it has been sent from a legitimate bank. The receiver is prompted to click a link within the email and enter their personal banking information.
Once the scammers obtain that information, they can then gain unauthorized access to the bank account, enabling them to withdraw large sums of money.
“We strongly recommend setting up Autodeposit to protect yourself,” said Sgt. Andrew Leaver in the release.
“With Autodeposit enabled, any Interac e-Transfer sent to your email address will go directly into your bank account, bypassing the need to click on email links.”
To protect against Interac e-Transfer scams, the New Westminster Police Department recommends executing caution when opening unexpected emails. Interac e-Transfer emails should only be opened when money is expected to be sent.
Always double-check the email address, as scammers often use email addresses with misspelled company names or generic domains that do not match the organization the sender is claiming to be from, and verify the content of the email carefully.
Using strong passwords adds an extra layer of security to online accounts, while opting for cash transactions for online marketplace purchases and sales helps to eliminate the risk altogether, police advise.
“To ensure safety, consider meeting in well-lit, public areas, such as the New Westminster Police Department lobby,” police said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Labour minister unveils steps to end Canada Post strike
Canada Post workers began their strike four weeks ago, halting mail and package deliveries across the country. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said he hopes work will resume as early as next week.
Canada's homicide rate down in most provinces, with 2 exceptions
The homicide rate is declining in Canada, and the country’s three largest cities all saw double-digit percentage decreases in homicides per capita, according to data released this week.
'They believe in diplomacy, good luck': Doug Ford doubles down on energy threat as some premiers distance themselves
Doug Ford is standing behind his threat to stop providing the U.S. with electricity in response to president-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs, even as several other premiers publicly distance themselves from the stance.
'Little girl deserves justice': Gallery erupts in anger as charges stayed against driver who killed child
In a tense courtroom, a judge stayed the charge against a Saskatoon woman who hit and killed a nine-year-old girl.
Is a white Christmas in the cards? Looking back at Canada's Dec. 25 snow history
With fewer than two weeks remaining until Christmas Day, weather forecasts and snowfall projections are starting to take shape but have yet to be finalized for cities across Canada.
Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the upcoming fall economic statement on Monday will remove the cap that currently restricts Canadian pension funds from owning more than 30 per cent of the voting shares of a Canadian entity.
Drones, planes or UFOs? Americans abuzz over mysterious New Jersey sightings
It's unclear if it's drones or something else, but for sure the nighttime sightings are producing tons of talk, a raft of conspiracy theories and craned necks looking skyward.
Mysterious googly eyes go viral after appearing on public art in Oregon
Googly eyes have been appearing on sculptures around the central Oregon city of Bend, delighting many residents and sparking a viral sensation covered widely by news outlets and featured on a popular late-night talk show.
Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump wants to turn the lights out on daylight saving time.