November 29 , 2006 -- Waterloo Regional Police Fraud Branch detectives are alerting the community to a fraudulent scheme, in which potential victims receive mail containing a counterfeit cheque as initial payment for completing a survey.

In this scheme, the fraudulent cheque appears to have been sent by Stats Canada and is made payable in the recipient's name. The recipient is instructed to deposit the cheque using an automated teller, and to send back cash envelopes to an address in Toronto.

 
Waterloo Regional Police have received at least five complaints in which area health professionals have received a cheque for $2,500.00 as initial payment to conduct a census concerning the health and medical industry in Ontario. In each case, investigators have determined the contents of the mail to be fraudulent and no losses were incurred by the recipients.    

Police would like to remind the public of several tips that can help reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of a fraudulent scheme.

 

• Mail that is not expected should be checked closely
• Confirm addresses and phone numbers
• Be wary of messages that sound too    good to be true
• Use extreme caution if asked to return money to the originator, often using money orders or Western Union.

 

Police also urge recipients to check with their financial institution regarding the authenticity of any suspicious payment notes. The depositor may be held responsible for cheques, certified cheques and money orders that are determined to be fraudulent.  

 

Fraud Detectives continue to investigate and would like to hear from anyone who may have received mail with contents similar to those described in this release.   Anyone with information, or who would like to report a suspected fraud, is asked to contact the Waterloo Regional Police Fraud Branch at 519 650-8500 ext. 4756, or Crime Stoppers 1 800 222 TIPS.