Cochrane RCMP warn residents to take precautions against being victimized by online fraudsters.

On October 25, a victim had a message pop up reading 'Click 4 Support' for a refund on their home computer. The victim was directed to contact the company, and when contact was made, the suspect requested the victim's banking information in order to deposit a refund. The victim did see the refund in their account but was soon contacted again saying they had refunded too much and directed the victim to send a money gram for the extra funds. After the victim was approached several times about the same thing, they contacted the Cochrane detachment.

RCMP Constable Jennifer Brewer says in light of the recent case it has sparked RCMP to warn residents about internet safety and protecting your pocket book.

"When you do have strange pop ups on your computer a lot of times they can be spam. So don't follow through with them, make sure you are safeguarding your bank information and not handing it out to an unknown or unreliable source. When you do see suspicious activities contact us and the anti fraud centre."

Moving into the holiday season, Brewer says be extra vigilant in protecting yourself and not being vulnerable to fraud.

"If you have never used this website before or you're on a public, non secure, internet source you are always opening yourself up for someone to get that information. Use caution, make sure you are on secure lines, do your research verifying it is a secure site or a secure business, making sure you are not giving out the last three digits of your credit card."

If you have any information regarding this incident or any other involving online fraud contact the Cochrane detachment at 403-851-8000 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477.