SANDRA M STANWAY
Brooks Bulletin
Man ordered to stay
away from salon
Staff at a hair salon reported to police that a 44-year-old man was making inappropriate comments to staff and disturbing customers and was not wanted on the premises.
On Feb. 14 at 9:40 a.m. Brooks RCMP attended the salon and charged an unidentified man with mischief. He was also place on conditions including not to attend the business.
Woman found hiding was breaching conditions
On Feb. 16 at 3 a.m. during a traffic stop, RCMP saw a female known to them hiding beneath a blanket in the rear of the vehicle.
Police knew the female had been on conditions that included a curfew.
She was taken before a justice of the peace on charges of breaching her probation, breaching a release order and resisting arrest and was held in custody until court last week.
Thefts from vehicles continue
Several items, including ID, credit and gift cards were taken from vehicles overnight on Feb. 16 and Feb 17.
While the investigations continue, RCMP remind residents to lock their vehicles and remove valuables.
Fraudulent job offer
A victim lost $17,000 in a scam that involved a job offer on WhatsApp.
On Feb. 18 RCMP received a report of a fraud case involving an online job scam.
RCMP reported that the victim was contacted via the app with an employment offer that promised commission payments.
However, the victim was required to cover a specified ‘cryptocost’ before receiving any earnings.
The victim sent about $17,000 before realizing it was a scam.
Police remind everyone to remain vigilant against fraudulent schemes including ones where you have to provide your information and/or send money.
Scammers use tactics to pressure their victims into sending funds quickly and they make it difficult for them to verify the legitimacy of the request.
This is also the time that many people will receive fake texts, calls or emails from CRA.
To check if the number is legitimate check online at https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/scams-fraud/verify-cra-contact.html#h2.
A CRA scam to avoid is the Working Canadians Rebate scam.
The CRA reports that text messages are being sent about the rebate and requesting you to reply and follow instructions to deposit the rebate.
“The CRA does not send text messages about benefits, credits, rebates, tax refunds, or payments,” states the CRA.
The tax-free $250 rebate will be automatically delivered by direct deposit or cheque in early spring to those who are eligible.
