Evening news:
A 24 year old female was charged with a domestic related mischief charge. It is alleged she broke a window of her ex-boyfriend’s apartment. She will be appearing in Provincial Court November 20th.
A 15 year old female was arrested earlier this afternoon for assault and threatening. It is alleged she threatened to punch a female who was known to her. She will be appearing in Young Offenders Court on November 19th.
City Police officers responded to a driving complaint early this morning. A vehicle driven by 48 year old Anne-Louise Beck of 355 Pim St. was observed driving erratically west on Second Line west out to the Airport where a witness followed her to. Officers attended and arrested Beck for impaired driving and after an Intoxilyzer test was administered she was further charged with consuming over the legal limit. She will be appearing in Provincial Court November 18th.
Morning news:
Break and enter
A break and enter was reported in the 500 block of Douglas Street. Unknown persons forced entry into the home between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Nothing was reported stolen.
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The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Fraud Unit has received several complaint related to the following scam and would like to remind citizens to be careful before providing credit card information or sending funds.
Emergency – Parent, Grandparent Scam
This scam has been around for some time and is still active and targeting seniors.
In a typical “emergency” scam, the victim receives a phone call or e-mail from someone claiming to be a friend or relative, like a grandchild, in distress.
The caller or e-mailer goes on to indicate that they are in some kind of trouble, such as being in a car crash, they need money for bail, or they are having trouble returning from a foreign country.
The fraudster specifically asks that the victim not tell other relatives.
You may get a call from two people, one pretending to be your grandchild and the other pretending to be either a police officer or a lawyer.
Your “grandchild” asks questions during the call, getting victims to volunteer personal information.
Victims (often seniors) generally don't verify the story until after their money has been sent through a wire transfer service or they have given access to personal banking or credit card information.
To guard against becoming a victim, police advise you to first check with another family member or trusted friend to verify the information BEFORE sending money by Money Gram or Western Union or providing credit card information by phone or e-mail.
It is vitally important that the incident be reported every time it occurs to allow police to investigate and find the perpetrators.
Reminder regarding telemarketing scams and mail fraud/identity theft:
Criminals will hide behind the anonymity of the telephone and mail to try and swindle thousands of Canadians each year. Criminals tend to use the same selling strategies as legitimate companies to lure people.
If you get a phone call, email or letter that sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
Common Telemarketing Scams:
-You’ve won a prize in a contest you don’t recall entering
-You’re offered an investment with huge returns
-You can buy a ticket into a pool that cannot lose
-You’ve won something, but you must send payment for shipping, taxes, duties, etc.
-You must give confidential bank or credit card information
-You are told to send cash or money order, only
-The caller is very excited about your opportunity or wants to be your best friend
-You are pressured to act immediately on a large purchase
Prevention Tips and Reporting Scams and Frauds:
-It is not rude to hang up on a caller if you have doubts or suspicions. Criminal Telemarketers are persistent and relentless so hanging up on them is your best defence.
-You have the right to request written information, to check references and to think over an offer. If the caller won’t oblige you, hang up. Remember that legitimate telemarketers have nothing to hide.
-Never provide personal or financial information over the phone.
For further information contact the Sault Ste. Marie Police Fraud Unit at 705-949-6300 extension 388 or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
If you have any information regarding these crimes, or any other crime, call Crime Stoppers at 705-942-7867 or 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), submit an e-tip from the Crime Stoppers’ website at www.saultcrimestoppers.com or text keyword SSM with your tip to 274637. Text STOP to 274637 to cancel. Text HELP to 274637 for help. Msg & Data Rates May Apply. Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use.