Scams appear to be on the rise once again in the Altona area.

Altona Police Service says the familiar Canada Revenue Agency scam is just one of the attempted, or successful, frauds that have been reported lately.

In the CRA scam, a caller tells you there is a warrant out for your arrest or that your social insurance number has been compromised.

Police urge potential victims to simply hang up the phone if they receive such a call, and not to give out any personal or banking information. Should you actually owe the Canadian Revenue Agency, you will be informed by letter not a phone call, and the CRA certainly will not ask for credit card or gift card repayment.

In addition, police say they are seeing the Canada Post Scam pop up again.

This is where the fraudster sends an email indicating you weren't home when Canada Post allegedly tried to drop off a package. As a result, the victim is asked to pay a small sum through credit card in order to set up a new delivery date.

Sadly, Altona police report another scam currently circulating in the area is one where the fraudster asks for credit card information in order to pay for a COVID-19 vaccine. Police stress there is no cost for a COVID-19 vaccine in Manitoba and say if you get such a phone, you are urged to again hang up and not give out any personal or financial information.

As well, the police service is reporting several instances of businesses and personal networks being hacked lately.

Generally, officials say hackers gain access when someone opens a corrupt link on the Internet or through an email attachment.

Police urge users to train themselves in deciphering legitimate web sites from the illegitimate ones, and to ensure an email address is genuine before opening an attachment. If in doubt, call the business or person that has supposedly sent you the email. Users also need to ensure security settings anti virus software is up to date.

Police also say it is a good idea to check the balance in your online banking frequently, and to get in touch with your financial institution if you recognize any suspicious activity. Complaints can also be registered with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Meantime, residents are being urged to protect their property as reports are once again filtering in to the Altona Police Service of unlocked vehicles being gone through.

As a result, people are being encouraged to take the time to lock up all valuables. This includes not leaving items such as wallets, purses, passports, computers and other expensive items in your vehicle. Police say for the most part these thieves are looking for loose change.