Some of our international students have been targeted by a phone scam telling students that they must pay education taxes immediately over the phone. Be careful of phone or email scams. DO NOT give anyone your personal or financial information if they contact you by phone or email. Contact your Student Integration Coordinator or the Winnipeg Police at 204-986-6222.
Scams typically target two things: your money, or your information. Some use fear, confusion, or greed to trick you to give them your money or credit card information. Others try to access your Social Insurance Number (SIN), driver’s license, banking information, website passwords or email address. They can use your identity to obtain credit, buy goods, or to scam others.
If you think there is a possibility that you may be targeted by a scam, get more information.

• Look up phone numbers, email addresses, or websites related to the company or individual contacting you. Be aware that a legitimate person or company may have had their identity stolen to use in the fraud.
• Red River College will never ask you to  make a financial transaction with an individual staff member. Only make payments  in person at the College or through the secured College website, where you will receive an immediate confirmation of payment.
• Never make payments over the phone.
• Get another opinion – talk to a friend, teacher, colleague, or advisor to see if there are some details that you are missing.
• Check with anti-fraud resources: The Better Business Bureau, Winnipeg Police Service, Competition Bureau of Canada, Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. These organizations may have more information or warnings to help you recognize the scam.

If you are a victim of fraud:

• Don’t blame yourself. It is normal to feel embarrassed or even guilty. Talk about it with a friend, advisor, or make an appointment to meet with one of our Counsellors.
• Alert your bank / credit card / financial service or email provider about the scam. If you act quickly to alert to any illegal activity, you may be able to limit the amount of financial or information loss from the fraud.
• Criminals can use social media  (Twitter, Facebook, QQ, etc.) to  get personal information about you. If they may be using one of these accounts, consider closing the account and make sure that the new account is restricted to trusted persons.
• Report it to the police. The police may be able to investigate the fraud if it is locally-based, and warn others in the community about it.
  • Winnipeg Police: 204-986-6222.
•  You can also report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, which works to fight fraud across Canada.
• Talk to your Student Integration Coordinator. We can help you to get connected to the supports you need on and off-campus.

LINKS

• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
• Better Business Bureau
• Competition Bureau of Canada
• Little Black Book of Scams
• Winnipeg Police Service Anti-Fraud Division
• Financial Consumer Agency of Canada – Fraud
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police – Scams and Fraud
• Get Cyber Safe – Scams and Fraud

For more information on this topic, please contact your Student Integration Coordinator:
Jillian Hoogland
Phone: 204.945.8776 | Fax: 204.948.3214 | jhoogland@rrc.ca | www.rrc.ca/diversity