Fraudsters busy in Kamloops

Kamloops City

2023-05-04 16:24 PDT

File # Scam alert

The Kamloops RCMP Detachment is reminding the public to be mindful of fraudsters, following recent reports indicating an uptick in scam attempts.

On May 3 and 4, 2023, the Kamloops RCMP Detachment received more than a dozen calls from residents reporting they had been contacted by fraudsters claiming to be a loved one in need of urgent assistance.

Sadly, this is not the first time Kamloops residents have experienced this kind of fraud, said Corporal Crystal Evelyn, Kamloops RCMP spokesperson. Luckily, most people are recognizing the scam attempt for what it is, but even still, we would like to remind residents to exercise caution when answering the phone, texts, or emails requesting money.

These scammers can be very convincing, sometimes crying and referring to the phone recipient as grandma, grandpa, or dad. Residents are encouraged to slow things down and take the time to ask questions to verify a person’s identity, seeking information that only the loved one would know specifically. Often, the information the scammer needs is provided through an internet website, a family genealogy site, or a social media page.

Below are some tips to help recognize a scam.

Automatically be suspicious of:

• anyone asking for money,
• be extra suspicious if the money is requested through a wire (which are difficult to track and almost impossible to recover).

Always verify identities with other family members.

• Ask for the name rather than offer it.
• Ask for help from a member of your family or a trustworthy friend.
• Verify identities or whereabouts of the caller with other family members. No matter if they say "well you can't tell mom and dad".
• Don’t feel pressured to send money immediately.
• Don’t disclose personal financial information.
• Call the police.

Recognize It, Report It, Stop It.

If you think you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, or your local police department.

Released by:

Email: crystal.evelyn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: kamloops.rcmp.ca

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