Colchester RCMP are investigating a complaint from a local business who was defrauded a significant amount of money over the telephone.

Yesterday, a business owner reported receiving a call from a person claiming to be a representative of Nova Scotia Power.

The caller said they were sending a Nova Scotia Power disconnect team to the victim’s business because of an overdue power bill. The caller told the victim that the only way to stop the disconnect was to pay a percentage of the owed bill. The caller then gave the victim direction to purchase a pre-paid credit card for a specified amount. The victim was requested to call back and provide the authorization code which would then cancel the planned disconnect.

Phone scams continue to become more elaborate in order to convince the public of their authenticity. Other phone scams may tell you that you have won a lottery, or a tropical vacation, but then require you to send cash or a money order before collecting your prize.

‘We are asking citizens to treat all unsolicited phone calls from individuals and companies asking for money as suspicious,’ says Cpl. David Simpson, Colchester County RCMP. ‘Criminals will use reputable company names to earn your trust and then use that to commit a fraud against you.’

Cpl. Simpson adds ‘personal or financial information should never be given out over the phone. Do not send cash or money orders and if you suspect something is not quite right, hang up immediately and either contact your local police department or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.’

For more information visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/english/index.html .

Source: Release