Sunshine Coast RCMP are warning the public after learning that the Sunshine Coast RCMP’s non-emergency number (604-885-2266) is being spoofed in a phone-scam.
In a commonly seen scam, a fraudster phones a resident and claims to be from the Canada Revenue Agency. The resident is told that their taxes are in arrears, there is a warrant out for their arrest, and the only way to avoid being arrested is to immediately pay a sum of money.
Unfortunately, the fraudsters are now going even further to try to legitimize themselves.
Using Internet phone technology, the fraudsters are able to have their number appear as any number they want on the target’s call display. This means that they can – and have – made the RCMP’s number appear on call display.
The fraudster then identifies themselves as a police officer with the local detachment (such as Constable Smith with the RCMP), which leads the resident to believe that there really is an outstanding balance owing and they face imminent arrest.
“These fraudsters are very good at being believable, and it’s important that people are aware of this scam technique, ”said Const. Harrison Mohr with Sunshine Coast RCMP. “Please warn your friends, family and particularly the elderly people in your life, so they do not fall victim to this scam.”
Mohr said if you are unsure about whether the person calling you is really a police officer, ask for the name of the person calling and what detachment they are calling from, then call the detachment yourself and ask for the officer.
“If it was a real officer calling you, we won’t be offended if you ask to call us back,” he said. “If it was a scammer, you may save yourself thousands of dollars by hanging up without giving out any personal information. The RCMP will never call to ask for the public to make a payment over the phone.”
If you have lost any money to this or any other scam, notify your local police immediately. If you have been targeted but did not give out any money or personal information, you can check out the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s website at: www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca for more information.
