NEWS RELEASE
GUELPH POLICE
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Today's 'Fraud Friday' is about vacation scams. This variation involves fraudulent offers of free or discounted vacations using well-known company names like Expedia, Air Canada, Transat, WestJet and others.
How it Works
You will receive a phone call, usually automated, advising that you have won a destination vacation. Alternatively, you are told that as a preferred customer, you have been awarded a credit or discount on a destination vacation if you book immediately (this is a red flag).
Once you proceed with the call, you will be asked to provide personal information to book the vacation and a credit card number to make a deposit/payment to guarantee the trip.
Warning signs - How to protect yourself
- An unknown caller tells you that you've won a contest you did not enter.
- You receive a call advising that you've won a free vacation but have to provide a credit card number to cover taxes before receiving the vacation.
- Ask for the caller's name and for a call back number. If they won't provide one, red flag.
- Never give out personal information or credit card information over the phone.
- Do your research! Ask people if they have had anything similar. If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.
- Don’t commit over the phone immediately, if they advise you MUST confirm over the phone right then and there, it’s probably a scam.
If you think you have been a victim of a scam, contact your financial institution immediately and local police. You can also report it online to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
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