REGINA - In the past month, the Regina Police Service (RPS) has seen an increase in fraud cases, which are specifically targeting university students in a tuition scam.
The investigation indicates that the victims are being fraudulently promised discounted tuition fees. Scammers pose as intermediaries claiming they can offer reduced tuition rates in exchange for an upfront payment. The scammer receives the tuition money, then “pays” the educational institution using fraudulent credit cards.
The victim believes their tuition has been paid in full, until they receive a notice that there was a problem with the payment. To date, this fraud has affected 23 victims and the financial loss exceeds $125,000.
RPS wants to remind citizens to stay vigilant and to remember the following:
· Never provide your passwords or login information to anyone. Protect your personal information.
· If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
· No one is going to pay your bills for the full amount and provide you a discount.
· If someone is offering you something on behalf of another company or educational institute, go to the source. Ask that institution/company if they have a relationship/agreement with that intermediary.
· Once you have been victimized, be cautious of “recovery” schemes. A scammer connected to the first scammer may promise to be able to recover your lost funds for a fee.
If you believe you are a victim or suspect someone is trying to defraud you, contact police immediately at 306-777-6500, or call 9-1-1 if it is an emergency.
