RCMP are warning people to beware, after a Kamloops woman who thought she had won money was scammed out of more than $25,000.
Cpl. Jodi Shelkie says the scam started when the woman got a call telling her she had won a quarter of a million dollars from Publisher’s Clearing House.
The caller then told the woman he could help her save money on taxes, and asked for her bank account information. He told her he would put the money in her account, and that she should then send it to someone in the Philippines.
After some money was put in the woman’s account she followed the instructions, and sent the money to what turned out to be a fictitious person.
RCMP say the woman keyed into the scam when she realized the scammers had allegedly deposited money from her own savings account into her checking account.
All told, the woman sent away $26,500 to the scammers.
Shelkie said that while the prospect of winning a pile of money can be exciting, it’s important to remember such promises are often the beginning of scams.
“Always remember, if the person asks you to send money to them to claim the prize or avoid taxes, it’s a scam. If you are asked to provide your credit card number or provide your financial institution information, it’s a scam. If you are asked to pre-pay taxes or any kind of fee, it’s a scam,” she said.
