Police authorities in Steinbach, Manitoba, are cautioning the public about overpayment scams following a recent incident where a fraudulent donation cheque was sent to a local charity. The Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue organization nearly fell victim to this type of scam last spring when they received a cheque for thousands of dollars from someone named “Kevin Vance Owens.” After depositing the cheque, the individual claimed that an error had been made and requested a partial refund of $2,000, insisting on a tax receipt as well.
Fortunately, the charity discovered the fraudulent nature of the cheque before any money was returned. While no financial loss occurred, the charity did consider recognizing the scammer’s name on a sponsorship plaque due to the substantial amount involved. Moving forward, the charity will exercise caution by waiting for cheques to clear before issuing tax receipts.
Meanwhile, Earl Funk, the mayor of Steinbach and owner of Earl’s Meat Market, shared a similar experience where his business encountered a cyberscam resulting in a loss of thousands of dollars. A person posing as Funk requested an electronic payment for an invoice, which was out of the ordinary as the business typically paid by cheque. Despite efforts to halt the transaction, $8,300 was sent, with $3,000 lost before the remaining payments were stopped.
Funk emphasized feeling violated by the incident and has since implemented new payment protocols requiring approval from either himself or his wife. The bookkeeper involved is assisting in mitigating the financial impact on the business. This cybercrime incident has prompted the business to enhance security measures to prevent future occurrences.
Steinbach RCMP Staff Sgt. Mike Maxwell advised individuals to remain vigilant against scams, emphasizing the importance of verifying transactions and contacting authorities in case of suspicious activities. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure victims into making hasty decisions, utilizing various communication channels and unconventional payment methods. Vigilance and caution are crucial in safeguarding against such fraudulent schemes.