LOL For Life
TUESDAY September 16, 2014 • www.langleytimes.com NEWS Musical Pioneer Passes
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ARTS & LIFE Making Connections
Langley is Canada’s mail theft capital MO N I Q U E TA M M I N G A Ti m e s Re po r t e r
Langley continues to have the dubious distinction of being the mail theft capital of Canada. Recently, Canada Post revealed that Metro Vancouver has the highest occurrence of mail theft, with Langley being the current and longstanding hotspot. Figures for 2013 from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) show that the number of reported identity fraud victims was up by nearly 14 per cent over the previous year. The trend has continued this year, suggesting people need to be more vigilant when it comes to protecting their confidential information. According to the Langley RCMP crime analyst, in the week of Sept. 1 through 7, there were reports of five mail thefts, in Walnut Grove, north Langley, Willowbrook, Murrayville and 8 Avenue. “That isn’t remarkably high compared to the days when there were up to 20 mail thefts in just one night,” said Cpl. Holly Marks. “Slowly Canada Post is replacing the community boxes in Langley and people are getting smarter about picking up their mail every day.” A Langley man and woman in their 30s were recently charged with identity theft (see story below) after police dismantled a major fraud operation
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SPORTS Locals Dominate Games
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Heaps of Fun at the Country Celebration
based out of a rental house in north Langley. In that case, a stolen Canada Post uniform was found along with 13,000 identities, identity making equipment and other fraud items. The man arrested was already out on bail for doing the same thing in Burnaby. Though efforts to increase the public’s awareness continue with full force, the number of Canadians falling prey to identity fraud is on the rise nearly 14 per cent over the previous year. CAFC also estimates their statistics account for less than five per cent of actual fraudulent activity. That upward trend has continued into 2014, with CAFC’s mid-year numbers suggesting that just as many people, if not more, will be defrauded this year. “Though the dollar value of losses is decreasing, what we really want to see is fewer people victimized,” said Lindzee Herring, assistant vice-president of corporate security at Envision Financial. “Dealing with the aftermath of identity fraud is unpleasant and stressful, so we really encourage our members to take every possible step to safeguard their identity.” Personal documents are one of the most commonly-exploited means of identity theft. Continued Page 5
Couple arrested for fraud MO N I Q U E TA M M I N G A Ti m e s Re po r t e r
A Langley man and woman have been arrested and a major fraud operation dismantled out of a north Langley home. Included in the items seized by police are a Canada Post uniform, 13,000 credit card numbers and more than $100,000 worth of construction, excavation and lawn equipment. On July 17, the RCMP “E” Division Federal Serious and Organized Crime Section (FSOC) with the assistance
of Langley RCMP, the Emergency Response Team and the Integrated Forensic Identification Section, executed a search warrant at a north Langley residence. The search warrant was the result of an investigation into several large fraudulent transactions. The investigation was initiated in June after a common suspect was identified through Abbotsford Police, Victoria Police and Burnaby RCMP investigations. Continued Page 5
D A N FE R GUS ON Langley Time s
Kwyn Bryson, 3, of Langley was having tons of fun in the straw pile at the Campbell Valley Country Celebration Saturday at Campbell Valley Park.
Toddler Deal $5 admission
The Great Birthday SURPRISE Giveaway 604-530-1400 20645 LANGLEY BYPASS
WWW.THEGE.CA
Simply book an October 2014 party & the birthday child gets a surprise bag. Great prizes & 10 lucky winners will receive a Fabulous BONUS in their bag! WOW!
5 years and under Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm
*PLUS
A FREE family 4 pack of tickets to any Langley Knights Hockey Game
New bookings only. Not combinable with any other promotions. Langley Knight tickets while supplies last.
0R $10 Play n Eat
BONUS! purchase any Play n Eat & receive an entry for a chance to win tickets to
TOOPY & BINOO: FUN & GAMES!
includes admission and the kids meal of the month!
(Taxes extra. Not combinable with any other special offers or coupons.) Expires Oct. 31/14
STRIKE? NEW GAMES SCHOOL see our HALF-OFF & STRIKE SPECIAL A HOT DEAL! @www.thege.ca Every evening in September between 7pm and 9pm Pay only $5 admission with the purchase of a $10 game card! (One card per admission and must be purchased chased at time of paying admission. Taxes extra. Not combinable with any other special offers or coupons.)