A text messaging scam that promises hundreds of dollars to people willing to wrap their vehicle in advertisements is making its rounds in Chilliwack, RCMP warn.
According to police, individuals are being texted offers of several hundred dollars per week to wrap their personal vehicle with commercial advertising. They’re then sent a cheque and asked to forward some of the money to a fictitious firm that would do the advertising.
When the cheque bounces, the victim is out them money sent to the fake company.
There are a few things to watch for, RCMP say:
• A text message from unknown number offering a money for advertising
• Multiple addresses from across North America (Vancouver, Chilliwack, Kamloops, Toronto, & Florida for example)
• Different address for the cheque, the company, the car wrapping company, and the letters.
• Instructions to deposit a cheque for a few thousand, and then send a portion of the money to another party, as soon as possible
• A cheque that doesn't clear
• An offer too-good-to-be-true delivered anonymously via text
Those who believe they’ve been a victim of a text same are being told not to respond further to the text message or email (block / report if the option is available). Keep copies of everything (text messages, emails, cheques, letters, etc.), and report the incident to the Chilliwack RCMP non-emergency phone (604-792-4611).
More information on scams is available through the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. In partnership with the RCMP, the CAFC works to gather intelligence on frauds of all kinds affecting Canadians. Individuals with a fraud to report or who want more information about guarding against fraud can visit http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or call 1-888-495-8501.