Mac Olsen
Express Staff
@SmokyRiverExprs
Internet Service Provider IWantWireless.ca is warning customers to avoid becoming victims of a fraudulent caller, regarding email difficulties.
The company sent out the following email last week:
“This email is to inform you that there is current a scam hoax in process calling our client claiming to have been hired by use to fix people’s emails. We have NOT hired any 3rd party provider to contact you to fix your emails. The caller claims to be from Precision Tech and can be very pushy on the phone. The call display number that we have found so far is 703-291-1699.”
Anything related to technical problems is handled within the company.
“We never hire someone to contact customers about email or Internet issues,” says Marc Cloutier, a technical support person for IWantWireless.ca in DeBolt. “We handle that in-house.”
The company first heard about this issue on Jan. 30 and is warning customers not to allow the caller to use a remote setup to access their computers, unless they know the caller.
If a customer receives a call from someone claiming to work for the company, say “thank you” and tell them they will contact the company at their earliest convenience. The customer should then contact the company by phone or email, and they will investigate accordingly.
Pressure tactics and some generic information are what the fraudulent caller will use to convince the customer to do what they want them to do.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
The federal government has established the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to report scams and fraud. Their website can be found at http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/reportincident-signalerincident/index-eng.htm.
You can contact them at 1-800-495-8501 between the ours of 9 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Eastern Time. There’s also an online reporting system and here are some tips found on the website to protect yourself:
Remember, legitimate telemarketers have nothing to hide
. However, criminals will say anything to part you from your hard-earned money.
. Be cautious. You have the right to check out any caller by requesting written information, a call back number, references and time to think over the offer.
Legitimate business people will be happy to provide you with that information. After all, they want the “bad guys” out of business too.
Always be careful about providing confidential personal information, especially banking or credit card details, unless you are certain the company is legitimate. And, if you have doubts about a caller, your best defence is to simply hang up. It’s not rude – it’s smart.
If you’re in doubt, it’s wise to ask the advice of a close friend or relative, or even your banker. Rely on people you can trust. Remember, you can Stop Phone Fraud – Just Hang Up!