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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2015-12-02, Page 10Wednesday, December 2, 2015 • Huron Expositor 11 A phone scam angers some, this man thought it was entertaining According to Statistics Canada phone frauds are the most common and successful technique to fool Canadians into handing over money Shaun Gregory Huron Expositor Ron Nicholson returned a call from an alleged phony officer claiming to represent the revenue department. He knew almost immediately after answering the phone that this was a scammer as the music was blaring in the background. Nicholson, 65, said he had a feeling before he spoke to the man with an East Indian accent on the phone that this was a con -like scheme. His assumption became a reality particularly when the man left out his official job title when introducing himself. "I called back, there was this music playing away like you wouldn't believe, it wasn't in English, (it) was in another language," explained Nicholson in a phone interview November 26. "I (said) this is Ron Nicholson, you forgot some- thing," Nicholson said. "What's that," replied the so-called swindler. "You told my wife you were (an) officer, Ian Morgan, how come you didn't say that now," suspiciously Nichol- son questioned the man. The more Morgan con- versed, the more Nicholson doubted his credibility. Even the last name Morgan sent negative shockwaves; to date the Egmondville resident said he's never heard of a person of that descent with such a surname. After talking back and forth Nicholson began to be amused and referred to it as a "good laugh" During the brief chat he suggested that the caller per- haps change his name because Morgan was a "dead giveaway." The caller real- ized this specific scam was not going anywhere. "He asked me if I had a lawyer, I said yes I have two lawyers and if you keep talk- ing, I'll just about get the tracer done on this phone call and then you better call your (lawyer)." Nicholson chuckled heartily, causing the caller to hang up. "I have to say, it's the best laugh I've had on the tele- phone in a long time." The very next day the phone rang and once again the same number showed up on the call display, Nicholson decided to not pick it up this time. Instead he thought that this criminal might be trying the illegal plot to other locals in the area, so he contacted the police. They told him he was correct that the identical number, which is 1-647-931- 7855, had attempted the same proposal to four others in the region. The OPP and the RCMP label this complex style of stealing as mass marketing fraud. This money -making hoax affects thousands of Canadians on a year to year basis, as reported by Statistics Canada in an annual state- ment conducted in 2014. Out of the countless methods used to trick an individual into handing over money, the most common technique is carried out by telephone. The report also stated Ontario is the leading province in the country for this specific fraud, receiving more than 3100 complaints and roughly 1200 victims yearly. "Often we do see these offences from countries overseas, it could be down the street or it could be half way across the world, it's very profitable for scammers," stated Huron National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence on Against Women Organization creates awareness pertaining to the 14 women killed in an act of violent behavior in 1989 Special to the Expositor The Huron Women's Shel- ter Second Stage Housing and Counselling Services serves over 600 women each year across Huron County, and provides emergency shelter, housing, support, counselling and advocacy to women and children experi- encing violence. Each month we will be writing this col- umn to highlight the work we do and the issues facing women in our county today. December 6 is the National Day of Remem- brance and Action on Vio- lence Against Women. On December 6, 1989, 14 women at 1'Ecole Polytech- nique in Montreal were killed in a gender-based act of violence. Their names were: Genevieve Bergeron, Helene Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne -Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Klucznik Widajew- icz , Maryse Laganiere, Mar- yse Leclair, Anne -Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michele Richard, Annie St- Arneault, and Annie Tur- cotte. Since 1991, December 6 marks a time to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women in our soci- ety. It is also a day for communities and individuals to speak out against all forms of violence against women and its impact on victims and their families and friends. In Goderich, there will be a vigil in Lions Harbour Park at 7 pm, Sunday December 6. Other Community Events It's the 20th Anniversary of Breakfast with Santa on Sat- urday December 12, 8-11 a.m., at Knox Presbyterian Church in Goderich. Please come out and enjoy a deli- cious home cooked break- fast of sausage, pancakes, eggs, muffins and local maple syrup and apple cider. County OPP media relations officer Const. Jamie Stanley. "It doesn't take much to gather some emails, but it can also be very sophisti- cated, they're very good and they're very savvy and they know what they're doing." Since there is no face to match with the voice or in more intricate cases where the criminals use the inter - net to attain banking trans- actions, Stanley said retrieving this money can be "difficult" and "next to impossible." The police can possibly trace where the message came from but the odds become much slimmer if the illegal deed is out of country. Here are some examples of fraud like actions, provided by GODERiCFi 519 524 7811 .FOJI MOVIE INFORMATION.. " : www.rnavielinksza tidy d ie1-800.155x3438 the RCMP. • If contacted by a creditor because an application for credit that you did not apply for was received in your name and with your address. • You receive a phone call or letter informing you that you have been denied or approved by a creditor that you never applied to. • You receive credit card statements or other bills with your information that you never applied to. • You no longer receive your credit card statements or any of your mail. • You are contacted by a collection agency informing you that they are collecting for a defaulted account established with your iden- tity that you never opened. fi He asked me if I had a lawyer, I said yes I have two lawyers and if you keep talking, I'II just about get the tracer done on this phone call and then you better call your (lawyer)." — Nicholson chuckled heartily, causing the caller to hang up. BABIES OF 2015 Make sure you're one of the proud parents or grandparents to show off the newest member of your family. Join The Huron Expositor's "BABIES ON PARADE" a photo display of babies born in 2015 Published Wed. Jan. 13, 2016 DEADLINE: DECEMBER 18, 12:00 Noon Mail, email or bring in a picture of your little one born in 2015, including full name, birthdate and parents' names, to be featured in the Huron Expositor's "Babies on Parade" on January 13, 2016 for only $18.00 (HST included). Please send picture (with name on back) to the Huron Expositor, P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, ont., NOK 1WO or nancy.degans@sunmedia.ca by 12 noon, Fri. Dec. 18. Photos may be picked up after January 14. This feature must be PRE -PAID. PLEASE COMPLETE Baby's Full Name Birth Date Parents' Names $18.00 PRE -PAID 6 Er,<te l itor seaforthhuronexpositor.com 8 Main St., Seaforth 527-0240