Beware of fraudulent calls

Ridge Meadows

2024-08-23 16:12 PDT

File # 2024 – 16849

Pitt Meadows, B.C. – Ridge Meadows RCMP is warning the public of a scam occurring in Pitt Meadows where victims are being asked to provide money.

In the past ten days, Ridge Meadows RCMP officers have responded to numerous complaints of a grandparent scam or emergency scam.

Beware of Scam or Fraudulent Calls! / Protect yourself from scams. / Scammers rely on creating a sense of urgency to coax you into making a hasty decision. Learn how to protect yourself against these types of fraud by using the following tips: / Slow things down, hang up and reach out to the relative with a number you know and trust. Ask for the name who is speaking rather than offer it. Do not be afraid to make calls of your own. Verify identities or whereabout of the caller with other family members. Even if they say not to. Do not be afraid to say ‘no’ to the caller. You don’t need to send money immediately. Never give your personal, banking or credit card information to anyone who calls you over the phone, never send cash/gift cards in the mail and never buy someone cryptocurrency under these circumstances. Never agree to meet with someone who called you asking for money. Report the incident to police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. / The RCMP does not engage in, endorse or conduct mail or telephone solicitation on behalf of your relative or loved one for the release of someone for money. Do not send money before doing your own investigation.

In these incidents, victims are contacted by the scammer in what appears to be emergency situation and are asked to provide money to alleviate a bad circumstance of a loved one, such as being in jail or in a car accident.

The RCMP does not engage in, endorse or conduct mail or telephone solicitation on behalf of your relative or loved one for the release of someone for money. Do not send money before doing your own investigation.

Scammers rely on creating a sense of urgency to coax you into making a hasty decision. Learn how to protect yourself against these types of fraud by using the following tips:

In order for law enforcement to combat fraud and cybercrime, it is essential that those who experience, or fall victim, report it to local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). Local police are positioned to investigate the incident and the CAFC supports law enforcement by sharing information collected through the reports.

Click here to learn more about safety tips to protect yourself from Frauds and Scams.

Released by

Inspector Martin Guay
Ridge Meadows RCMP
11990 Haney Place Maple Ridge, BC V2X 9B8

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