A REMINDER TO RETAILERS FROM HRM POLICE

With the holiday shopping season upon us, the HRP/RCMP Integrated Financial Crime Unit reminds retailers to refresh their staff on how to properly handle cash and credit card transactions.It is important to be aware of the security features of older banknotes as well as the enhanced features of new notes. A list of known counterfeit bills in circulation can be printed from the Fraud Alert section of our web-site (link below).

Also, retailers should be diligent when processing credit card transactions by ensuring the presence of a card at some point before the sale is finalized, checking signatures, and asking for additional identification when necessary. Halifax Regional Police note there has been a significiant number of incidents reported in recent weeks of transactions involving stolen credit card information where sales have been made by telephone, without a card present. Companies have delivered merchandise only to find out later the credit card information was stolen and they are out their product. Building supply and equipment sales companies have been the main targets in this most recent round of these types of incidents.

Anyone interested in learning more about protecting themselves from being victimized by scammers, or looking for information on what scams are presently out there, can visit our website at www.police.halifax.ns.ca and click on Fraud Alert, or contact the Integrated Financial Crime Section at 490-1985.