CRIME STOPPERS

Wetaskiwin Senior Centre Break and Enter
     
    On March 1, 2013 at 3:24am, the Wetaskiwin RCMP were dispatched to a Break and Enter at the Wetaskiwin Seniors Centre located at 5216 54 Street.  An unknown number of subjects gained access to the building by prying open a locked door on the north west corner, triggering a loud audible alarm.  The subject(s) then entered into an interior office, gained access to several locked cabinets, taking an undetermined amount of cash and other property before fleeing the property.
     If you have information regarding this incident, please call the Wetaskiwin RCMP at 780-312-7200.   

Thorsby Arctic Spas Rec Complex          
    During the early morning hours of February 27th, 2013, unknown suspect(s) were near the Arctic Spas Rec Complex in Thorsby.  It appears that the suspect(s) cut a cable on a nearby pole thinking that the wires may disconnect the alarm system to the complex and approached several doors on the Westside of the complex in an effort to gain entry to the building, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Stolen Goods Recovered   
     Thorsby RCMP are currently investigating a matter that resulted in a number of items being recovered, that may or may not have been stolen.  Thorsby RCMP are looking for individuals to come forward with serial numbers or other forms to prove ownership with the following items:
1.    Snow blower
2.    Leaf blower
3.    Coffee maker
4.    Laptops
5.    GPS handheld
6.    Tools (power & hand)
7.    Television
8.    Cell phones
     If you are a possible owner of the above mentioned items, please contact the Thorsby RCMP at 780-789-3951, ext. 222, attention Cst. Diewold.
    
    If you know who is responsible for these crimes or any other crime, please contact the Thorsby RCMP at (780)789-3950 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or online at TipSubmit.com.  If your tip leads to an arrest, you may qualify for a reward of up to $2000.  Tips provided by Telephone or the Internet are anonymous and secure.

March is Fraud Prevention Month

    One of the most expensive crimes endured by millions of Canadian consumers every year is fraud.  In the case of romance scams, fraudsters take advantage of those looking for love to steal their hearts and their money.  Scammers target singles of any age through social networking, online classifieds or dating websites. In these situations, the scammers create fake profiles and fall in love fast- all designed to convince their victim to give them money.  
    That’s why law enforcement, government agencies and other consumer organizations are working diligently to detect and disrupt fraud.  While romance scams may the latest trend in fraud, other scams have been around for years and are simply tweaked over time to reflect current trends.  Even savvy online consumers can find it hard to distinguish a fake profile or product from the real thing.
    To increase awareness, law enforcement, government agencies and other community organizations have formed Fraud Prevention Alberta. Partners include:  Better Business Bureau, Service Alberta; Alberta Justice and Solicitor General; Seniors and Community Supports; Alberta Securities Commission; Alberta Community Crime Prevention; Competition Bureau; Bank of Canada; Association of Certified Fraud Examiners; RCMP; Camrose Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service; Lethbridge Regional Police Service; Calgary Police Service; Edmonton Police Service; and Alberta Motor Association. 

    During the month of March, Fraud Prevention Alberta members will highlight the following types of scams:

March  1 - 8 (week 1):     
Romance Scams
March  11 – 15 (week 2):                   
Counterfeit Cards/Skimming
March 18 - 22 (week 3):                     
Identity Theft
March 25 - 31 (week 4):                     
Online Investment Fraud

    Join Fraud Prevention Alberta on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/FraudPrevAB for updates, events and tips on protecting yourself and your family from fraud. For more information on fraud-related crime and awareness events being held in March, please visit Fraud Prevention Alberta members’ listings (on www.accpa.org) and these and other listings through The Competition Bureau (http://competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/h_00122.html). 

    If you suspect you have been a victim of unscrupulous activities or fraud, contact your local police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre toll-free from anywhere in North America, at 1-888-495-8501 or visit www.antifraudcentre.ca.  If you suspect you have been a victim of securities fraud, please contact the Alberta Securities Commission toll-free at 1-877-355-4488 or by email inquiries@asc.ca