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This article was published 10/10/2014 (2172 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Steinbach RCMP are warning residents of fraudulent emails that carry a virus program used to access personal information.

The email has a subject line "Notice to Appear" and similar variances, stated police. The emails use "address spoofing" to make the notification appear legitimate.

"It is not common practice for courts to notify people via email of required appearances," said Staff Sergeant Harold Laninga.

The fraudulent emails are designed to panic the recipient into opening the email and/or any attachments that contain a virus program known as malware, which is automatically installed when opened. That program can then monitor online activity and access personal information from the recipient’s computer.

"In a recent case, the culprit(s) were able to obtain enough information to contact the recipient(s) financial institution, answer all the security questions and subsequently remove an undisclosed amount of money," reported Steinbach RCMP.

People are advised to refrain from having a record of passwords and answers to security questions on a computer. Residents can access further information by visiting the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at: www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca