RCMP warns of e-transfer scam

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/04/2024 (515 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba RCMP are warning the public about Interac e-transfer scams they say are becoming more prevalent.

Mounties said victims receive an email that appears to be from someone trying to send them an e-transfer. The email appears legitimate at first glance, RCMP said. If a recipient clicks on the link and enters their banking credentials, the scammers are able to steal banking login information and access their account.

“Scammers are becoming more and more sophisticated, so extra caution is needed before you accept an e-transfer,” RCMP said in a news release Thursday.

Mounties said the problem can be avoided by setting up autodeposit so that money sent via e-transfer is automatically deposited into an account, without the recipient having to log in to accept the transfer.

People are also advised not to click on any links if they weren’t expected to receive an e-transfer, to check such emails closely, to use strong passwords for financial websites, and to be conscious about sharing personal information online that hackers can use to access accounts.

Mounties advise victims who are defrauded to report the crime to police.

Winnipeg police warned people last week about a scam text appearing as a photo enforcement ticket. The text, which appears to be from police, accuses the reader of speeding and includes a link to pay the ticket. A similar text-based scam in March suggested traffic radar had caught the reader speeding in a school zone.

A similar text impersonating Manitoba Hydro was sent out in February. Police said at the time there were no known victims of that attempted scam.

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

Biidaajimowin | News from the Centre

Wednesdays

Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences.

Sign up for Biidaajimowin | News from the Centre

Sign Up

I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Scammers victimized 4,824 Canadians in 2023, stealing more than $22 million. In Manitoba, the biggest shakedown was investment scams. Eighty-five people lost a total of $3.32 million last year.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca