SASKATOON – A least two Saskatoon child care providers have been targeted by scammers. Both cases have been reported to the police.
Saskatchewan’s Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority (FCAA) says both child care providers had been advertising they had available space. Each received an email from a “parent” requesting a space be held for their child.
The “parent” then claimed to be out of the country and wanted to act quickly to secure the space. They would then send a cheque to secure the spot.
In each case, the cheque was for more than what was required. When the overpayment was brought to the “parent’s” attention, they would ask for the cheque to be cashed and have the overpayment wired back to them.
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The provider would cash the cheque and wire the money, only to find out later the cheque was bogus.
FCAA says this type of scam is common and has been used numerous times to victimize service providers including landlords.
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The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says there are steps that can be taken to protect yourself against overpayment scams including knowing who you are dealing with, never accepting a cheque for more than the amount you are dealing with and never agreeing to wire back funds to a buyer.
FCCA says people who believe they are the victim of a scam should contact their local police department, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or the Competition Bureau.
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