SASKATOON – RCMP’s economic crime program is warning users of a new scam sweeping across Saskatchewan and sharing ways to protect their email accounts from falling victim.
Fraud investigators are seeing criminals gaining access to user’s e-mail accounts.
Once inside the account, suspects locate financial emails in various folders like ‘Deleted’ or ‘My Banking’ then compose emails to the victims’ financial institutions.
They request a transfer of funds into their bank accounts and have been successful in some cases.
The best way to protect one’s computer from this scam:
- Creating strong passwords and changing them every 6 months.
- Do not click on links attached to questionable e-mails.
- Make sure anti-virus software is up to date and turned on.
- Be cautious when logging into personal e-mail accounts from public computers. These computers could have software installed on them by criminals which saves passwords and user names.
The advisory is part of Fraud Awareness Month which increases Canadians’ awareness and knowledge about different types of online scams.
For more information on online scams visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
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