Shoppers warned to watch out as online scams reach all-time high - BC News castanet.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from castanet.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Old and unwanted electronic devices were collected from around the region during the shredding and recycling event. The items were assessed, cleaned, and refurbished by the recycling association and then handed out to the Harbour of Hope Refugee Assistance Society, Victoria Women in Need Co-operative, Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness and the Bateman Foundation. “At Harbour of Hope, we have two high school student refugees that will be receiving a laptop each to help them in their studies,” said society president Noelle Mason. The Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness will use the donation to help those in need with resume building and improving computer skills.
“The one that really hit with me is the robocalls,” said bureau executive director Rosalind Scott. “It seems like such a little thing, but I tell you we have had lots of people calling us terrified that they’ve been told by a robo-call they will be arrested, fined or be put in jail.” While they come in many forms, robocalls most often use computerized auto-dialers to deliver pre-recorded messages claiming to represent government agencies like the Canada Revenue Agency, utility companies and the police. The scammers try to get personal information, credit card numbers and even cash transfers and gift cards from their victims.