LevonP
11-30-2008, 12:02 PM
Three clients of Birkett-Hassard Insurance Brokers, and clients from another Stouffville firm were targeted by fraudsters pretending to be insurance industry representatives.
Luckily, none of the Birkett-Hassard clients gave out their confidential information, according to Rob McBeth, a broker with the Main Street company.
The callers demanded immediate payment, by credit card, for any outstanding amounts on an insurance policy’s premium and if payment was not received, the caller threatened to cancel the policy, York Regional Police said in a release this week.
“When in doubt, call your broker... Don’t give any information over the phone,” Mr. McBeth said, noting an insurance broker will never call a client about a policy.
“Most policies renew automatically. If they do not renew automatically, they must be sent a registered letter,” he said.
In his seven years as a broker he has never seen a scam like this.
Phone fraud is preventable, industry experts and police say. To protect yourself against the crime follow these safety tips:
• Check your premium details with your insurance company or broker as they will be able to provide the current status for your policy.
• If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There are agencies and services available for you to determine if a company or telemarketer is legitimate. Do some research before handing over your money.
• Telemarketing can be a legitimate selling tool for Canadian businesses, but it is also an excellent opportunity for criminals.
• Be cautious. You have the right to check out any caller by requesting written information, a call-back number, references and time to think the offer over.
• Do not give out any personal banking information or any other personal information to someone over the phone unless you know they are legitimate.
• If you have doubts about the legitimacy of the caller, do not be afraid to hang up the phone.
• Do not feel pressured to send money or provide a credit card number to take advantage of a special offer or deal.
Consumers who think they may have been targeted by this form of fraud are asked to write down as much information as possible, including the originating phone number and call the Insurance Bureau of Canada Tips Line at 1-877-IBC-TIPS. You should also report this to the police.
Luckily, none of the Birkett-Hassard clients gave out their confidential information, according to Rob McBeth, a broker with the Main Street company.
The callers demanded immediate payment, by credit card, for any outstanding amounts on an insurance policy’s premium and if payment was not received, the caller threatened to cancel the policy, York Regional Police said in a release this week.
“When in doubt, call your broker... Don’t give any information over the phone,” Mr. McBeth said, noting an insurance broker will never call a client about a policy.
“Most policies renew automatically. If they do not renew automatically, they must be sent a registered letter,” he said.
In his seven years as a broker he has never seen a scam like this.
Phone fraud is preventable, industry experts and police say. To protect yourself against the crime follow these safety tips:
• Check your premium details with your insurance company or broker as they will be able to provide the current status for your policy.
• If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There are agencies and services available for you to determine if a company or telemarketer is legitimate. Do some research before handing over your money.
• Telemarketing can be a legitimate selling tool for Canadian businesses, but it is also an excellent opportunity for criminals.
• Be cautious. You have the right to check out any caller by requesting written information, a call-back number, references and time to think the offer over.
• Do not give out any personal banking information or any other personal information to someone over the phone unless you know they are legitimate.
• If you have doubts about the legitimacy of the caller, do not be afraid to hang up the phone.
• Do not feel pressured to send money or provide a credit card number to take advantage of a special offer or deal.
Consumers who think they may have been targeted by this form of fraud are asked to write down as much information as possible, including the originating phone number and call the Insurance Bureau of Canada Tips Line at 1-877-IBC-TIPS. You should also report this to the police.