On October 4, 2023, a fire occurred behind Joe’s Tire Hospital, engulfing a hedge, two cars, a small bus, shipping container, and a large pile of tires.
Thankfully, the nearby apartment building and Joe’s Tire Hospital were not directly impacted.
Four fire trucks, three from Duncan and one from the Municipality of North Cowichan attended and put out the fire.
The fire is being investigated as suspicious by the RCMP.
Anyone with information or video camera footage are asked to call the RCMP non-emergency line at 250-748-5522.
INCREASED FACEBOOK MARKET PLACE FRAUDS
The Central Saanich Police Service has seen a marked increase in Facebook Marketplace frauds within the last month. Please be aware of sellers asking for deposits on large ticket items, such as sheds, concert tickets, furniture, garden equipment, etc. Sellers may use pressure tactics such as expressing that there are many people interested in the items and a deposit will secure it for the buyer. Please call police and refer to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website for more information in the event you are a victim of fraud.
Did you know?
A recent survey conducted by TransUnion reveals that nearly half of Canadians (49 per cent) have reported being targeted by a fraud scheme recently.
According to the survey, there has been a 40 per cent increase in digital fraud attempts originating in Canada and targeting global businesses during the first half of 2023 compared to the same period last year.
The survey also found that telecommunications, insurance and online communities witnessed the most substantial increases in suspected digital fraud during that timeframe, with increases of 400 per cent, 90 per cent, and 75 per cent, respectively
How to Protect Your Business:
Know who you’re dealing with
Watch out for invoices using the name of legitimate companies. Scammers will use real company names like Yellow Pages to make the invoices seem authentic. Make sure you inspect invoices thoroughly before you make a payment.
Compile a list of companies your business uses to help employees know which contacts are real and which aren’t.
Don’t give out information on unsolicited calls
Educate employees at every level to be wary of unsolicited calls. If they didn’t initiate the call, they shouldn’t provide or confirm any information, including:
- The business’s address
- The business’s phone number
- Any account numbers
- Any information about equipment in the office (e.g., make and model of the printer, etc.)
Limit your employees’ authority
Only allow a small number of staff to approve purchases and pay bills.
Watch for anomalies
Beware of:
- Larger than normal orders
- Multiple orders for the same product
- Orders made up of “big-ticket” items
These orders may be fraudulent.
