Police in Steinbach, Manitoba, are cautioning residents to stay alert for overpayment scams following a recent incident where a scammer attempted to deceive a local charity by sending a fake donation check, claiming an error in the amount sent, and requesting a refund of excess funds.

The President of Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue, Michelle Neufeld, disclosed that the organization was almost tricked by an overpayment scam last spring. An individual using the alias “Kevin Vance Owens” initially contacted the rescue via email inquiring about the donation process and expressing a desire to donate thousands of dollars by check.

After Neufeld deposited the check received by mail, the individual, posing as Kevin, followed up claiming that an accidental overpayment had occurred. He insisted that $2,000 of the $4,000 check was intended for another organization and requested half of the money to be returned to him promptly along with a tax receipt.

Fortunately, the charity discovered the fraudulent nature of the check before making any refunds. Neufeld emphasized the importance of verifying transactions before acting to prevent falling victim to such scams, highlighting the significant financial impact such incidents can have on charitable organizations.

Moving forward, Neufeld stated that the charity will implement stricter protocols, including verifying the clearance of checks before issuing tax receipts to prevent similar incidents. Steinbach RCMP Staff Sgt. Mike Maxwell echoed the warning, urging individuals to report any suspicious activity or potential scams to the authorities promptly.

In a separate incident, Earl Funk, the Mayor of Steinbach and owner of Earl’s Meat Market, recounted a cyber scam that resulted in the loss of thousands of dollars for his business. Funk detailed how the market’s bookkeeper received a deceptive email instructing payment through electronic deposit instead of the usual method of checks for a supplier invoice.

Despite efforts to halt the transactions, the business incurred a loss of $3,000 due to the scam. Funk expressed feelings of violation and emphasized the need for enhanced security measures to prevent future cybercrimes. He stressed the importance of implementing checks and balances within the business to avoid falling prey to fraudulent schemes.

Both incidents serve as a stark reminder of the prevalence of online scams and the necessity for heightened vigilance and precautionary measures to safeguard against financial fraud. Police authorities advise individuals to remain cautious, verify transactions, and promptly report any suspicious activities to prevent falling victim to overpayment scams.