Citizens contacted and forwarded emails to Vingt55, whose victims were their parents and who received rent payment notices. Once again, emails informing them of a default or a new option to proceed with the online Interac transfer to pay their rent.
“My mother lives alone and is new to the bank transfer system. She fell into the trap on December 28 and wants her mishap to serve as a warning to others,” adds Mr. Deguire, who contacted Vingt55.
“The loss is important to them. She did not pay the required second month because she did not have the necessary funds. By asking me to advance him the amount of money, I was able to save him from this second fraud and loss of money.
The police have little power to reclaim the amounts. You will need to contact the bank, Equifax Canada and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center so they can record the fraud,” adds Mr. Deguire. “However, they tell us that they do not carry out any investigations because the fraudsters are often abroad or use schemes that are difficult to understand.” »
“It seems important to me to inform people and families,” explains Mr. Deguire, who contacted Vingt55 to forward the email and especially the information in order to prevent other vulnerable people from becoming victims of this type of fraud.
This type of scam often occurs at the end of the month. The fraudsters claim what is supposed to be late rent and use the mailing to file a claim the following month by adding a new way to secure the transfer.
In fact, scams often take the form of an email asking the tenant to make a bank transfer to pay their rent. The message sometimes mentions that rent will be collected in a new form of Interac e-Transfer, offering a new Interac link and password to make late or future payments.
According to the information confirmed in Vingt55, fraudsters use terms such as “IMMO Management”, “Property Management” or any other form of name that fraudulently suggests that it is the manager or owner who is demanding payment of the amounts or rents due. The email messages are accompanied by a message that can often seem plausible, authorities confirm. The message could politely ask the tenant to pay the rent adjustment or increase or to pay one or more months late, the authorities explain. The repetitive message can also become threatening, causing fear that the tenant has lost or will soon lose their home, authorities confirm.
According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, one of the best ways to stop fraudsters from acting and continuing their schemes is to speak to your loved ones like Mr. Deguire did and let them know not to make a transfer
It is important to take steps to prevent and detect fraud related to unpaid rent. This may include thorough vetting procedures with the owner. Simple checks such as the origin of the email and message, as well as a record and verification of payments made and collected by your financial institution, can also prevent falling victim to this type of fraud, which has already claimed several victims in Drummondville.
It's important to talk to those most at risk or new tenants about fraud. Older people who are less familiar with online security practices are more vulnerable, but young people ages 18 to 34 are most at risk of online banking scams. For many new tenants, the trap set by fraudsters can be threatening and worrying. Eagerness or urgency to make a payment is often the key to success for fraudsters.
Sergeant Camille Savoie, spokesman for the Sûreté du Québec, made it clear in an interview with Vingt55 at the time of the first fraud cases in Drummondville that it was important to take the time to verify the information received by email. Therefore, it is important to check with your own banking institution and/or the property owner before responding to this type of email or making a transfer
The spokesman for the Sûreté du Québec, like fraud prevention organizations, invites citizens to talk to their loved ones about fraud and fraud prevention in order to make them aware of this type of fraud. She points out that online fraud is an increasingly popular way to defraud and steal from vulnerable people or those who are less informed about the traps of scammers.
Sergeant Savoie reminds us that any type of fraud must be reported to the authorities and the police. “Fraud is a crime and must be reported every time,” adds Sergeant Savoie, who also encourages victims to report the fraud they have fallen victim to to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Service at 1-888-495-8501 report.