This is Cst. Derek Hood of the Halifax Regional Police, Community Response Officer for the Bedford/Rockingham area.

Halifax Regional Police continue to respond to incidents within HRM regarding canvassers and phone solicitors.

I would like to remind you that no matter how sincere a voice may sound on the phone or how convincing the words on a computer screen may seem, don’t provide any confidential financial information (credit card, bank account, PINs or passwords) over the phone or Internet to an unsolicited caller/e-mail under any circumstances.

If you conduct business over the phone/Internet, be absolutely certain of the validity of the individual you are dealing with and only provide your personal information when you initiate the contact and are dealing with a business you trust.

Please don’t hesitate to challenge door-to-door canvassers for a valid photo ID issued by the charity or for documentation indicating it’s a registered organization.

By following this advice, it may prevent you from becoming a victim of fraud, and remember, as a rule, anything that sounds too good to be true usually is.

Thank you.

Source: http://www.bedfordbeacon.com/a-message-from-cst-derek-hood-of-halifax-regional-police