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Scam letter targeting 'distant relatives' in Northern Alberta town

RCMP say a fraudulent letter has been circulating in Lac La Biche County that claims local residents are eligible for millions of dollars in insurance money.
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LAC LA BICHE, Alta. - Residents in Lac La Biche County have been the target of a scam involving fraudulent letters.  

Lac La Biche RCMP say they had been receiving several reports of a document circulating from a US law firm stating that millions of dollars in insurance payables are available to relatives in the area on behalf of a deceased individual's policy. 

“The claim is that the local resident is possibly a 'distant' relative of the deceased person and is eligible for millions of dollars in insurance money,” according to RCMP on Nov. 22. 

The RCMP detachment is investigating the reports but is urging any residents receiving fraudulent letters to refrain from providing sensitive personal information to scams. 

“RCMP want you to know that these types of scams are an attempt to gather personal and banking information of the target. Please be vigilant when receiving any kind of unsolicited messages, emails or letters.” 

No further information on the details of how many residents have been affected was provided. 

RCMP encourage residents to always contact the local detachment and stay up to date on the Canadian federal database's anti-fraud website. 

“If you have any concerns about a suspicious letter, please call the Lac La Biche RCMP or contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or at the toll-free line 1-888-495-8501.” 

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