Penticton Hospitality Association
ScamAlerts & Notices

ONCE AGAIN OUR EMAIL ADVISORIES GOT THE BAD GUY

RCMP Praises PHA ‘Fan Out’ System 

From Al Sismey, Penticton RCMPCommunity Policing Coordinator, wrote:

On Jan 26, 2007 I requested assistance in fanning out a photo of James Harold STEWART to all of your members. I am happy to say that AGAIN your system worked and we are most thankful for your cooperation. He was subsequently arrested. This fellow was wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant for a Homicide in Alberta and without the help of you and your members, he would still be on our streets.

Please extend our greatest appreciation all of your members for another job well done - a great example of how the community plays such an important role in keeping our City safe.  

Thank you again from everyone at Penticton RCMP Detachment!

Regards,

Al Sismey

NOTE: Thank you to all our public-spirited members who take the time to read our advisories and especially our thanks to Dave at the Carmi Motel for being so alert and concerned enough to contact the RCMP and help in the apprehension of this very bad character, taking another threat off the streets.

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From Lynda Locke, Days Inn:

There is an “I’m Chief Stewart Phillip” scam going around.The caller asks for the manager – and identifies himself as Chief Stewart Phillip.Then tells him/her that there has been a terrible death in the Phillip family and they will require 7 – 10 guest rooms for all the family who are coming into town for the funeral.

Apparently according to the caller his son Stewart Phillip Jr., wife and 2 children have been killed. The caller also says that he will be paying for the rooms by band cheque.   He also said that his son is coming home by plane but he does not have a credit card so they need money wired to him. The caller wanted me to take money to the 24/7 store and wire it via Western Union to Stewart Phillip Jr.

When I said I could not do that he hung up the phone.

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From a distressed parent:

We have a Deli manager (Acme Markets) from Philadelphia, Pa who has a
13 year old daughter who has been missing for 2 weeks. Keep the picture
moving on. With luck on her side she will be found. "I am asking you all,
begging you to please forward this email on to anyone and everyone you
know, PLEASE.

My 13 year old girl, Ashley Flores, is missing. She has been missing for
now two weeks. It is still not too late. Please help us. If anyone anywhere
knows anything, please contact me at: HelpfindAshleyFlores@yahoo.com

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Thank you for the alert.  I have been receiving something else every now and then.  It seems to be always looking for accommodation for 10 days and asking for availability info and offering to pay in advance.  The last one, today, said it was from England and they were soccer agents "looking for players that could play football very well."  It looked questionable to me so I always just put it in my junk mail.  I don't know if anyone else has been receiving this sort of e-mail also.  I believe I could copy and send you a copy without actually opening the message if you would like.  Every one of these messages is similar but always for something else, not just football players.

Thanks again.

Doreen Reed ,

CHUTE LAKE RESORT

We received responses from a number of members that this scam is making the rounds. Watch out for it!

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Visa Fraud Alert

Synopsis

Visa is receiving reports of a fraud pattern targeting hotel, bed and breakfast and other similar recreation service type businesses.

How fraud is perpetrated

Typically, the fraud is executed by a suspect stealing a Visa account number or by using an account generation program. The suspect may have obtained additional account holder information (e.g., CVV2, Expiry Date, etc.) as well as other data elements. The suspect then attempts to use the stolen Visa account for a transaction with business owners at an amount greater than the required transaction. The suspect ends the scheme by requesting the business owner mail the transaction difference back to them through a wire transfer or money order service.

This fraud scenario typically transpires as follows, with all correspondence taking place via e-mail:

• Fraudster e-mails merchant inquiring about room availability
• Fraudster explains that they have other family members who need accommodations and provides date range for reservation (typically 5-7 nights)
• Merchant advises customer on room availability and price
• Fraudster agrees to rates and provides payment card information
• At this point, the fraudster requests the merchant add an additional amount to the transaction to cover additional expenses for the fraudster’s family members. The fraudster will then claim that their travel consultant does not have a facility to charge their payment card.
• Fraudster instructs merchant to wire transfer the additional fee amount to a third party where it can be picked up

Recommended Strategies and Best Practices

Visa strongly recommends heightened vigilance in your authorization strategies for future "Card Not Present" transactions. Visa Fraud Investigations and Incident Management recommend the following best practices for this fraud scenario:

• Merchants should authorize transactions for the actual purchase amount, not for additional or "future" sums for which a customer may seek reimbursement.
• Merchants should be advised to contact their acquirer or processor if they are suspicious of a transaction.

For further information please contact Visa Fraud Investigations and Incident Management:

Visa Fraud Investigations and Incident Management:
(650) 432-2978
usfraudcontrol@visa.com

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From: SOS Crime Stoppers
December 1, 2006 2:48 PM
Subject: Re: Probable Scam!!

/***** A L E R T *****/

Could you please let your business members know of the following faxes that have been received locally requesting goods/services with payment by credit card. Both faxes contain the same formatting with the names and messages different and one is from Seattle, Wash. under the name of Paul Johnson who is trying to buy stoves and the other is from a Cecil Jones of Accra, Ghana trying to purchase fencing to be shipped to
Ghana. *The Police would like to caution Merchants of the dangers of
shipping anything prior to payment being received and confirmed authentic through their financial institution.

*Thanks very much for your assistance in spreading the information to as many merchants as possible.

Regards,
Al Sismey
RCMP Community Policing Coordinator
770-4721

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Early Wednesday morning Salty’s Restaurant was broken into in a “smash & grab” by unknown persons. In addition to damage committed while breaking and entering, the thieves stole a number of bottles of rum and brandy:

Mount Gay Extra Old Rum

Malibu Rum

Bacardi Rum

One Fifty-one Rum

Morgan’s Rum

Malibu Mango

Deaubanne Brandy

Anyone with information on this crime should contact Pat or Scott at Salty’s 493-8400.

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ASSISTANCE REQUESTED

THE POLICE ARE REQUESTING ASSISTANCE TO LOCATE A VEHICLE AND IT’S OCCUPANTS:

OLDER MODEL TOYOTA CELICA STYLE CAR THAT IS DARK IN COLOR  (MAYBE A DULL BLACK OR DARK BLUE) THAT HAS A RED FRONT QUARTER PANEL AND BEARS “ALBERTA PLATES” (LIC # UNKNOWN)

SHOULD THIS VEHICLE BE SPOTTED AT YOUR BUSINESS COULD YOU PLEASE CALL EITHER CST. BURNDRED AT 488-8344(ANYTIME) OR THE WATCH COMMANDER AT PENTICTON RCMP DETACHMENT AT 770-4751 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. 

THANK-YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE AGAIN!

Al Sismey

Community Policing Coordinator

Penticton RCMP

770-4721

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BEWARE OF INTERNET DOMAIN RENEWAL SCAMS

Recently local businesses have been receiving what appear to be renewal notices for their Internet domains (e.g.: YOURCOMPANY.COM or YOURCOMPANY.CA).

These invoices are for amounts ranging from $40 to several hundred dollars. They usually threaten deletion of the Internet domain.

Any business receiving such a notice in the mail is advised that THESE ARE FRAUDS.

One such scam involves a letter from a company called "Domain Registry of Canada" asking you to renew your domain name. They list your domain name details and expiry.

A sample is attached to this email message as “droc scam.pdf”

They look like an official government domain name authority with a Canadian flag on their envelope. They also have the same color and type of envelope that you would expect from the Government of Canada.

A second example from something called “Central Registration Service” is attached as “CRS domain renewal  scam.pdf”

If you receive invoices or letters like these DO NOT PAY THEM. Report them to consumer affairs and/or the Better Business Bureau.

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WANTED: CANADA WIDE WARRANT

THE PENTICTON RCMP ARE REQUESTING YOUR ASSISTANCE IN LOCATING THE FOLLOWING PERSON THAT MAY BE IN OUR AREA.  HE MAY BE TRAVELLING WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND IN A WHITE 2005 FORD FOCUS CAR BEARING BC LICENCE 882 GJG.  SHOULD HE/THEY CHECK INTO YOUR BUSINESS, YOU ARE ASKED TO CALL THE POLICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AT 492-4300.  THE FOLLOWING IS A DESCRIPTION OF THE WANTED INDIVIDUAL.

(Photo deleted)

Alfred Paul DAVENPORT(1973-03-01) , 34 years of age, 5'9" (173 cm) tall, 180 - 200 lbs. (82 - 95 kgs), very short brown hair and Apiercing blue eyes@.

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This was sent to us by Adele at Banbury Green.

Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 12:39 PM

___________________________________________________________________________________

This was received from the Penticton RCMP regarding the recent robbery at the Scotiabank across from Cherry Lane Shopping Centre. Please note that the pictures are for review by ONLY MEMBERS AND THEIR STAFF. Please respect the confidentiality.

If anyone has information, please contact Al Sismey, Community Policing Coordinator, 250 770-4721.

- PHA Alerts

-----Original Message-----
From: Al SISMEY [mailto:Al.SISMEY@rcmp-grc.gc.ca]
Sent: June 28, 2007 9:45 AM
Subject: Re: Armed Robbery Fan-out

I have 4 photos of the suspect in this Armed Robbery and wondered if you could send them out to your members so they and their employees ONLY can have a look at them to see if they recognize this suspect please. THESE PHOTOS ARE NOT TO BE RELEASED TO ANYONE EXCEPT YOUR MEMBERS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES. Thanks for your help again and any questions, please give me a shout.

Regards,

Al Sismey
Community Policing Coordinator
250 770-4721
250 770-4750 (fax)

From: SOS Crime Stoppers

Sent: January 3, 2007 11:18 AM

Subject: Re: Counterfeit Credit Card Identification.

Could you please pass this info onto all of your members/businesses in the hope that it will be of benefit to them and reduce the chances of them accepting  any of the counterfeit cards that have been passing through our area recently.  Any questions please give me a shout at 770-4721.

/*"Counterfeit credit cards can be easily identified by simply running your finger or fingernail across the numbers on the "signing stripe" on the back of the card.  These numbers should feel raised. 

Counterfeiters, so far, have not been able to replicate this feature _so please take a bit of time to run this check when accepting credit cards for any of your transactions."

_*/Thanks very much

Regards,

Al Sismey

Community Policing Coordinator

Penticton RCMP

770-4721

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 Royal Bank of Canada received this communication about the newest scam.

This is happening in southern Alberta right now and moving.

This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want.  Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it.

This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself. One of our employees was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called on Thursday from"MasterCard".

The scam works like this:

Person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460 , Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a marketing company based in Arizona ?" When you say "No", the caller continues with,  "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?"

You say "yes".

The caller continues - "I will be starting a Fraud Investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number.  "Do you need me to read it again?"

Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works:

The caller then says, "I need to verify you are in possession of your card". He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers". There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the last 3 are the Security Numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card.

These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the last 3 number to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?"

After you say no, the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up. You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the card number.

But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 was charged to our card.

We made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master Card directly for verification of their conversation.

The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit.

However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.

What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a "Jason Richardson of MasterCard" with a Word-for-word repeat of the VISA Scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we know that this scam is happening. I dealt with a similar situation this morning, with the caller telling me that $3,097 had been charged to my account for plane tickets to Spain, and so on through the above routine.

It appears that this is a very active scam, and evidently quite successful.

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Wendy from the Riverside sent this along in response to our ScamAlert regarding phony phone schemes:

Hi, We also had a call about a week ago asking us to do the same thing.

They said they were calling from our telephone service provider (Opcom) how they knew that

I don't know!

They said our "operator assisted" calling was very low (Yes, but we're OFF SEASON)

and could we test the lines.

I told her this is an unusual request and I've never heard of it.

I am also an ex-employee of the phone company and this sounds fishy to me.

I told her the "boss" wasn't in and I'm not allowed to dial "0" from the office.

She asked if I has access to do it from the console or if it's restricted. and I said if you were our

phone service provider - wouldn't you know that as you set up our system.

She hung up!

Just an FYI that it's not just Telus customers.

Wendy

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Date: November 29, 2007 6:41:15 PM PST (CA)
Subject: Phone checked with Telus

PASS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW

I received a telephone call last evening from an individual identifying himself as a Telus Serviceman who was conducting a test on the telephone lines. He stated that to complete the test I should touch nine( 9 ), zero( 0 ), the pound sign ( # ), and then hang up.

Luckily, I was suspicious and refused. Upon contacting the telephone company, I was informed that by pushing 90#, you give the requesting individual full access to your telephone line, which enables them to place long distance calls billed to your home phone number.

I was further informed that this scam has been originating from many local jails/prisons. DO NOT press 90# for ANYONE ! The GTE Security Department requested that I share this information with EVERYONE I KNOW. After checking with Telus, they said it was true, so do not dial 90# for anyone!!!!!

PLEASE HIT THAT FORWARD BUTTON AND PASS THIS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW

Vivian Thompson, Crime Prevention Coordinator
South Surrey District 5 RCMP
604-592-3826 E-mail
vivian.thompson@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

The second comes from Sam Verigin of Something Special B&B:

Hello,

Just got this one, and have to let everyone know about it... 

Enclosed is another scam to alert all concerned...

Hello,

I am Mr.Peggy Simon from United Kingdom.I want to make a reservation of your 1 room for me and my wife from 10th Jan 2008 to 25th Jan 2008.Kindly calculate all the total cost for the whole 15 nights in Dollars and let me know so that i can send my credit card details for payment of the accomodation.Please don't reply this mail if you don't take credit card payments.Call me on my private number:+44 704 576 7117.Reply only on this email:(sipeggy@yahoo.co.uk)

Regards,

Mr.Peggy Simon