Oliver residents report scams
An Oliver man is warning others about a scam in which you have to send money to get money.
Frank Endreny said an acquaintance received a promise of $2.6 million (from North American Sweepstakes) if she made a tax deposit of $15,000 to the Internal Revenue Service. At the bottom of the letter, it warns that failure to provide this requirement in 10 days will result in legal action, where you could be charged for “money terrorizing.”
Huh? You’ve got to be kidding? “I want to warn people about this,” Endreny said.
He noted the woman was confronted with another scam, in which she had yet another cheque sent to her for $1.2 million from Readers Digest. It was for her husband who died seven years ago.
Endreny explained that the woman’s husband was dead and offered to pass on the required information to the widow. The fellow on the phone, who could hardly speak English, refused to do so.
Oliver resident Alex Milner said he got a call from Microsoft, claiming there was a problem with his computer and it could be fixed for $150. He refused.
“Do not answer any questions from them,” Milner said. “Once they get into your computer, (that’s it).”
Milner said Microsoft does not make phone calls about fixing computers, so don’t fall into this trap.
Milner advises people to record the phone number and report the scam to the anti-fraud office at 1-888-495-8501.
