For most people the Christmas holidays are about family and giving, but for a certain element it is also an opportunity to commit fraud.
This time of year the Coquitlam RCMP usually sees an uptick in payment card scams and phony door-to-door charities and is warning the public to be on alert.
When dealing with a canvasser police encourage residents to train themselves to look for several signs.
Scammers often try and gain entry into the home and are usually well dressed. In some cases phony canvassers have even been known to wear fake uniforms, said Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Jamie Chung.
"From my experience, door-to-door canvassers of accredited charities carry proper identifications and they are usually able to provide tax receipts on the spot," he said. "My advice to people is to do your due diligence and ask questions."
People should not feel pressured to donate, he added, and can ask whether there is a local shop in the community where contributions can be made.
A higher number of credit and debit card transactions over the holiday shopping season also provides an opportunity for crooks to steal.
Chung recommends that shoppers keep a list of all their cards and their accompanying numbers in a secure location so that if they are stolen they are easier to cancel and track.
Card holders should never give out their pin number and people should know that banks or credit card companies do not ask for that information over the phone.
Online fraud is also rampant during the holiday season. Chung said there have been several incidents where online sellers meet potential buyers in secluded locations and rob them.
People, he added, need to be especially cautious when buying or selling high value items like expensive jewelry or cellphones and should always meet in a high-traffic public place.
"If it is too good to be true, it is too good to be true," Chung said.
Canada Revenue Agency has a list of charitable organizations that are eligible to give tax receipts, which can be found at www.cra-arc.gc.ca.
The Coquitlam RCMP also has more information at www.bc.rcmp.ca.
