The Okanagan Regional Library is warning people about a scam relating to overdue fines.
It has come to the attention of the Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) that some library members are being phoned by a scammer.
In two cases a caller identified themselves as “a collection agency working for the library” to collect overdue fees.
Be aware that the ORL only uses a collection agency in the event that a member has over $50 in fines due over 90 days, and it always follows up with a written account outlining the fees and methods of payment.
Members are never asked to pay fines over the phone. If you receive a suspicious call, do not give any personal information and follow up with your local library branch.
The ORL subsequently learned that one of the people called is not a library member, and the ORL’s IT department can confirm there has been no compromise to personal information or the library’s data systems.
“With almost one in three people in our region being active library card members, it is not difficult for a scammer to call people at random in an effort to try to commit fraud with this kind of tactic,” says public relations manager Marla O’Brien. “This is another example of how savvy scam artists are becoming.”
Ironically, the Oliver Library branch is holding a fraud awareness workshop tonight, led by Rick Dellebuur, a representative from Crime Stoppers. The event is free and open to all at 6:30 p.m.
