Good day Block Watch Leads, Co-Leads & Participants,
West Vancouver Police have responded to 194 calls for service since our February 5th update.
For updated crime alerts anytime click westvanpolice.ca/crime-alerts
Familiar Frauds
Our Crime Alerts this week include familiar versions of two long running Fraud tactics. A resident received a text message, claiming to be from their daughter, and urgently requesting money. The victim sent an e-transfer before noting that the address for the transfer was not actually the daughter’s email.
In a separate report, a resident received an email, believing it to be from a friend, claiming they needed a gift card, but were unable to use their own credit card and asked the resident to buy and forward the gift card details to them. Funds were lost before the victim discovered their friend’s email had been hacked.
We encourage you to take care and double check any unexpected request for funds. Use a different means of contacting the actual family member or friend the request appears to originate from to confirm details before sending money.
Distraction Thefts – North Shore
We are sharing an advisory regarding a recent resurgence of distraction thefts on the North Shore. Over the past weekend, three separate & similar reports were made to North Vancouver RCMP involving elderly victims approached by two females and a male driving a grey SUV. Suspects asked for directions to distract victims in conversation, before stealing jewelry. There have been six total reports made in North Vancouver since last September.
West Vancouver Police Business Watch issued a caution in December of thieves using distraction techniques in thefts at local jewelry retailers.
Recent thefts in North Vancouver involved suspects engaging victims in conversation then attempting to hug or touch a victim’s hand or wrist. Thieves often approach a victim asking for a favour or help, or overwhelm them with compliments, then offer a piece of jewelry as a gift or offering, while discreetly removing the victim’s real jewelry.
Please remain vigilant, be cautious of strangers in your personal space, trust your instincts. Call for help if you feel uncomfortable and walk away from any suspicious person or behaviour.
Emergency Preparation, Insurance & Fire Safety – An Online Learning Opportunity
North Shore Emergency Management is offering on-line training on Emergency Preparedness, Insurance & Fire Safety. Representatives from NSEM, the Insurance Bureau of Canada & local Fire Departments will host an online meeting through MS Teams Wednesday, February 18th 6 to 7:30pm. You can Click This Link To Join The Session or email [email protected] with your name and email address, and a meeting invitation will be sent to you. Please note that email requests must be received at least 24 hours before the session.
Anytime you see activity of concern, please don’t hesitate to call West Vancouver Police. Call 604-925-7300 for non-emergency matters. Call 9-1-1 in an emergency, including events that involve an immediate threat to a person or property or to report a substantive crime in progress. For updated crime alerts anytime click westvanpolice.ca/crime-alerts.
Jeff Palmer
Block Watch & Operational Support Coordinator
West Vancouver Police
t: 604-925-7300
