05/04/2026
RCMP in the South Okanagan are warning about a rise in phishing emails claiming your computer is infected with malware. These messages often include a “tech support” link—but clicking it can give scammers access to your personal information.
If you’re concerned about a virus, take your computer to a trusted local professional instead of relying on unknown online support.
If you’ve been targeted or fallen victim, report it to police right away at 250-492-4300.
Please share to help keep our community informed and protected.
A recent fraud trend seen by the Penticton South Okanagan Similkameen RCMP is fraudsters using a well-crafted email to gain access to your personal information.
The victim receives an email stating that their computer has been inflected with a malware virus and that the computer is at risk. The email gives a link to tech support to help fix the issue. However, in actuality the link allows the fraudster to gain access to your computer and search for personal information, in some cases holding it hostage.
If you receive an email regarding a possible computer virus the RCMP recommend taking your computer to a reputable store in Penticton to search for the problem rather than relying on online tech support, particularly if you are unsure of who you may be interacting with.
If you do fall victim to fraud, report the theft to police immediately by calling 250-492-4300.
