Beware of Fake Websites Imitating Local Businesses

Fri, 2020-02-21

Members of the public are strongly advised to be wary of websites that imitate local businesses and offer enticing promotions which require the entrant to provide their credit card details or other personal information.

As well as the fake website claiming to represent The MarketPlace, the Bermuda Police Service has been made aware of a fake Lindo’s Group of Companies website with the same alleged $250 gift card giveaway to celebrate an upcoming anniversary.

Similarly, the fake Lindo’s website looks almost like the official Lindo’s Group of Companies website – but has a different website address.

It also includes supposed testimonials from people who seem to have participated in the fraudulent promotion to win a $250 gift card – where the participant apparently has to give their credit card information so that a $1 contest entry fee can be processed.

Lindo’s Group of Companies’ official website is: www.lindos.bm and does not feature a $250 gift card giveaway.

Once again, the public is reminded that personal information including dates of birth, addresses, phone numbers, banking and credit card details are valuable.

Such sensitive information should never be passed over the internet, phone or by post to unknown persons.

If any member of the public has already given credit card details online to any of these fake websites, they should immediately contact the bank that issued the credit card – so that the credit card that was used can be cancelled.

To report any incidents of suspected fraud, please contact the Financial Crime Unit on telephone number 247-1757 or via the e-mail address fraud2@bps.bm.

Advice on how to avoid and report scams can also be found at https://www.gov.bm/how-avoid-and-report-scams.

Anyone with information regarding these fake websites is encouraged to call 295-0011.