A Branford woman was arrested on Tuesday after trying to cash a stolen cheque.

The 54-year-old woman brought a the cheque to the Cash Money Store on Dalhousie just after 4 p.m. Employees noticed information on the cheque did not match information the store had on file and contacted police.

Police discovered the $1,280 cheque was stolen. The woman was charged with uttering a forged document and possession of stole property under $5,000.

A 38-year-old Brantford woman was arrested after threatening to bomb a business.

Brantford Police Service received a 9-1-1 call from a business on Dalhousie Street on Tuesday just before 8:30 p.m., employees reported a woman had come to the business and stated to yell and threaten to blow up the building. As she was leaving she smashed a window in the business.

Police located the female a short distance away and discovered she was bound by a court order with conditions.

She was charged with uttering threats to cause death/bodily harm, uttering threats to property, mischief to property under $5,000 and breach of probation. She was held for a bail hearing.

A Branford woman lost $19,000 after falling victim to the ‘Microsoft’ scam.

A 75-year-old Brantford woman contacted Brantford Police on Tuesday after she was received a phone call from a person who claimed to be an employee of Microsoft. He fraudster told the victim she was entitled to a refund fro Microsoft. The victim gave the called remote access to her computer and her banking information in order to process the refund.

When the victim checked her bank account was empty and she had lost $19,000.

The called contacted the victim again and told her that he would put the money back if she purchased $2,100 worth of iTunes gift cards.

The woman went to Walmart to purchase the cards, but was advised of the scam and to contact police by an employee.

Brantford Police Service wants to remind members of the community that Microsoft does not have employees that randomly contact people to discuss computer errors, technical difficulties or refunds.

If you receive a call from someone claiming to work for Microsoft, hang up. It is a fraudster.

Never give out personal or banking information to someone you don’t know.

If you have been targeted by a fraudster, don’t be embarrassed, you are not alone.

If you have already sent funds or personal information contact the police or your bank.

If you have been a victim of fraud contact Brantford Police Service at 519-756-7050.

Report suspicious phone calls to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre toll free at 1-888-495-8501 or

http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index.shtm.

Protect yourself; if you are the victim of a fraud or victim of identity theft police suggest you place flags on all your accounts and report to both credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM BEING A VICTIM OF FRAUD:

Never give out personal information or credit card information to an unknown source over the telephone and/or unsecured email.

You can stop a telephone scam by hanging up.

When contacted about your personal accounts never click on a web link attached to the email to ‘verify’ or ‘confirm.’

Do not let a person or company have remote access to your computer unless you know the company you are dealing with and absolutely have to.

Confirm with family members or your bank before transferring any funds.

Report suspicious activity to police, to protect others from being caught in a scam.

Educate yourself by visiting the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s website at www.antifraudcentre.ca.