Vol. 105 No. 18
THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014
20 pages
$1.25
Bringing news to Biggar and area for 105 years! Box 40, 122 Main Street, Biggar, Saskatchewan S0K 0M0
email: tip@sasktel.net
Phone: hone: 306-948-3344 44 4
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Biggar Canada Post stops fraud
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t’s a horrible phone call that brings a stomachwrenching feeling. A supposed loved one calls, in trouble, needing money - needing money immediately to get them out of a bind. For some local residents, that dreaded call came, and they nearly parted with a significant amount of cash, save from some sharpeyed Biggar Canada Post employees. The Canada Post employees smelled a rat - what the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre calls the “Emergency” or Grandparent” scam. From reports in and around our area, the instances of this nefarious scam, one that preys on the goodwill and willingness of Saskatchewan people to step up and help, without question, without hesitation. From reports, the Canada Post employees found something suspicious about a possible money order to be sent. Investigation revealed some area residents were very, very close to parting with their money. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre describes a typical scenario. A grandparent receives a phone call from a con-artist claiming to be
one of their grandchildren. The con goes on to say that they are in trouble and need money fast. Typically, they claim a car accident, trouble returning from a foreign country, or they need bail money - anything to impart an immediacy to their supposed plight. A typical call could go something like this: Con-artist: “Hi, Grandpa/ Grandma.” Victim: “Hi.” Con-artist: “Do you know who this is?” Victim: “John?” Con-artist: “Yeah.” The Canadian AntiFraud Centre says victims typically don’t verify the story until money has been sent, the con specifically asking that they not tell other relatives - “Don’t tell Dad, he’d kill me if he found out, please sent money ASAP! I’m scared!” being a typical ploy to lend an immediacy, an urgency from the victim to come to the rescue. Wanting to help, victims often send money by a money transfer company or through postal outlets. The Anti-Fraud Centre says there are variations on the scam such as an old neighbour, a friend of the family, et cetera, but predominantly the “Emergency Scam” is directed towards grandparents. Fo r t u n a t e l y, r e c e n t incidents in and around Biggar, were stopped by local Canada Post employees.
But reports of the scam are growing. Most recognize it for what it is, or take the necessary measure to verify the validity of the “emergency”. But like a fisherman who makes many, many, many
casts, a con only has to sink his hooks in once to have a morally bankrupt but “profitable” day. Ta k e t h e t i m e t o i n v e s t i g a t e. C a l l t h e RCMP or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-
495-8501, e-mail: info@ antifraudcentre.ca). Arm yourself with knowledge. It is not easy to spot scams, and more are spawned every day. Most of all, don’t be embarrassed - it happens. Fight back.
By the way, give our Canada Post people a pat on the back for stepping up, going beyond the normal, workaday requirements, and lending a helping hand to some who, I’m sure, are very grateful.
Spring’s slow, slow arrival . . . The ice is still here, and snow came back with a vengeance Sunday. Clouds threaten last week at Springwater Lake, leaving us with Winter’s ‘Sword of Damocles’ looming ever present over our heads, hopefully for not much longer. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
Biggar Rural Fire Association reminds ratepayers to be “Fire Conscious” A
s the snow finally leaves us for a few months, the Biggar and District Rural Fire Association would like to remind our ratepayers to be fire conscious and fire smart.
You take the tasty with the cold in Saskatchewan . . . Bill Stacey, with the appropriate headgear, flips some burgers during the United Church’s annual Garage and Bake Sale, April 25. The Friday session featured a barbecue supper for the many who attended, while the following day, a pancake breakfast kicked things off. The cold weather didn’t hamper attendance or the taste buds. Check out the biggarindependent. ca this Friday for more pictures of the event. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
Right now we have lots of old drying grass and stubble waiting for green growth and planting. The urge to clean up by lighting a little fire can result in big bills and liabilities. If you have a planned and controlled burn, you must phone 1-866-4045-4911, or a passing motorist may see the smoke, call 911, and you will have a fire response and resulting bill. At the Association’s spring meeting, rates for fire equipment callout have been set at $1,500 for the initial call out with $850 an hour thereafter plus firefighters. Average costs for fires in the past year have been $10,000. Insurance costs for fire coverage on an ag pak run at .10/$100, so for $10,000 coverage, you will pay $100. If you don’t have fire coverage on your insurance, the association can put the bill on your taxes, so please make sure you are covered. If fire is on your land, you are responsible whether
you started it or not. We have had instances where small land holdings have incurred large bills for fires started by a bird on a power line. A fire in an old manure pile can smoulder a long time, pose a threat for weeks and be the cause of several call outs if a threat to adjacent crops is a possibility. The Association encourages land holders to remove fire hazards such as burying or spreading manure piles, removing fuel sources such as old buildings and decommissioning power if the yard is not used anymore. The Fire Association is planning to replace its fire truck and that will require more capital in its reserves. They changed their previous 40/60 distribution of capital/ operating to a 60/40 capital/ operating from the $1,000 a township that their members pay. They will be researching the best rural response equipment that
they can afford, but certified fire equipment is very expensive and will require several years of increased contributions to capital until they have enough in reserve to consider truck replacement. The Association would like to express their appreciation to their volunteer fire fighting force. These men and women faithfully show up for training week after week, and respond to many different situations. They are always looking for more recruits. The Biggar Rural Fire Association is hoping to do an education session regarding fire control in the country at a later date, but the best way to control fire is to prevent it in the first place. Having a water tank and hose nearby when doing work that may create a spark can prevent a wildfire. Please be fire conscious and fire ready this spring.