BEWARE OF SCAM - Cheque Overpayment Fraud
(Sault Ste. Marie, ON) – Sault Ste. Marie OPP warns the public of an overpayment scam reported in the Echo Bay area.
Overpayment scams is the type of fraud where the person receiving the cheque is actually owed money for goods sold, an example being selling a car in a private sale.
The seller receives a counterfeit cashier’s cheque, personal cheque, or corporate cheque from the “purchaser” in an amount in excess of the amount owed; is asked to deposit the cheque and wire the excess funds immediately back to the sender/purchaser or the purchaser’s agent or shipper. The deposited cheque is then returned as counterfeit and charged back to the seller’s account.
Anyone selling goods should be suspicious of any cheque, especially if it is for more than the agreed selling price.
To protect yourself against this sort of scam, never agree to a deal in which the payer wishes to issue an amount for more than the agreed price and expects you to reimburse the balance. The scammers will use a variety of excuses to explain the overpayment, but any such excuse should be treated as suspicious.
To avoid overpayment scams remember the following:
Know who you are dealing with; independently confirm your buyer’s name, street address, and telephone number.
Never accept a cheque for more than your selling price.
Never agree to wire back funds to a buyer.
Resist pressure to “act now”. If the buyers offer is good now, it should be good when the cheque clears.
It is not always easy to spot a scam, and new ones are invented every day.
If you suspect you may be a target of fraud, don’t be embarrassed – you’re not alone.
If you want to report a fraud, or if you need more information, contact The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre toll free at 1-888-495-8501 or you local OPP detachment.
Motor Vehicle Collision Claims One Life - Updated
(THESSALON, ON) – On March 28, 2012 at approximately 10:30 a.m., the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) attended a two vehicle collision on Highway 129, approximately 100 kilometres north of Thessalon, Ontario.
A car travelling southbound on highway 129 crossed the center line on a curvy section of the highway and struck a northbound transport truck. The driver of the car, 77 year old George EVANS of Chapleau, ON was pronounced dead at scene. The driver of the transport truck was not injured. Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts.
No charges are expected.
SEARCH WARRANT NET SEVERAL CHARGES FOR TWO
(Elliot Lake, Ontario) –Police have arrested and charged two local residents after a search warrant was executed.
March 27, 2012 officers of the Sudbury Drug Enforcement, East Algoma and K-9 unit executed a search warrant at a residence on Gauthier Place. Both parties located in the residence were arrested and taken into custody.
Charged with the following is Bradley Elwood DAVIDSON (52) of Elliot Lake.
- Possession for the Purpose – Cocaine
- Possession for the Purpose – under 3kg
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime - under $5,000.
- Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon
- Obstruct Police
- Possession of a Firearm while prohibited
Also charged with the following is Susan Gail WEIR (49) of Elliot Lake.
- Possession for the Purpose – Cocaine
- Possession for the Purpose – under 3kg
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – under $5,000.
- Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon
- Possession of a Firearm while prohibited
Both accused remain in custody in Sault Ste Marie awaiting a bail hearing.
FRAUDULENT CHEQUES POPPING UP IN ELLIOT LAKE
(Elliot Lake, Ontario) – The East Algoma OPP has received complaints of multiple fraudulent cheques mailed to residents of Elliot Lake.
Possible victims contacted police on March 27, 2012 stating they had received cheques in the mail in the amount of $3996.00. When the recipient(s) attended the bank with the purpose of depositing the cheque, they were advised that the cheque would not be deposited as they were fraudulent.
Further investigation by police indicated that the Toronto Police is currently investigating the alleged cheques.
If you think you may be in receipt of such a cheque, please drop off the cheque and your information at the OPP detachment in Elliot Lake.