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RCMP warn about telephone frauds

Police got three reports in the last two weeks about telephone fraud, and warn the public about giving out personal information.
50712houstonRCMP
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

In the last two weeks, police have gotten reports of three different telephone frauds. The first was a caller claiming to be from Microsoft. Cst. Mike Thom said the caller told  the person that their computer was having problems and requested remote access to fix it. After getting access, the caller offered a deal to do computer maintenance and protection at a cost. The caller threatened that if the person wouldn't take the deal, their computer would shut down. Cst. Thom said the person refused the deal and their computer shut down.

The second fraud was from a caller claiming to be Canada Revenue Agency. Cst. Thom said they told the complainant there was some problems with their taxes and requested personal information. Cst. Thom warns that Canada Revenue Agency does not make such calls.

The third fraud was directed to a senior and the caller claimed to be a grandson in need of bail money. Cst. Thom says these callers often sound good because they know personal information from Facebook and other social networks on the web.

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At 12:50 p.m. March 21, police got a report of a basement fire in a house on Butler Avenue. The Fire Department put out the fire by the time police arrived, and Cst. Thom says the cause is likely lint in the dryer which caught fire. No one was injured and there was no significant damage.

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Police got a report of a fight in the Houston Trailer Park at 6:12 p.m. March 21. Cst. Thom says two intoxicated males were fighting and police separated them and warned them about causing a disturbance. Neither wanted to press charges.

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Police got a report of a possible impaired driver leaving a local pub at 9:50 p.m. March 22. Cst. Thom says police found the vehicle at a residence and talked to the registered owner who did not show signs of impairment.

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A fire alarm was pulled at Nadina Manor at 11:20 a.m. March 25. Cst. Thom says police arrived, talked the Fire Department and found that the alarm was tripped.

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Police were called to assist the Ambulance at 8:20 p.m. March 26. Cst. Thom says there was violent patient with medical issues, so the officer went with the ambulance to the Smithers Hospital where the patient was treated and released.