Valleyview RCMP warn residents about telephone scam
Valleyview, Alta. – On July 7, 2020, alone, Valleyview RCMP received over 40 reports from Valleyview and area residents who have received phone calls from individuals telling victims that their “social security numbers” are being used for drug activity in Toronto. The suspects are then asking the victims to press a number to speak with an investigator.
These phone calls are high pressure in nature and the likely goal is for the suspects to obtain personal and banking information from the victims that are being targeted.
Here are a few safety tips to assist:
- If you receive a call from someone claiming your personal information has been compromised, take note of the information from THEM and disconnect from the call.
- Do not share any personal information with the caller, such as confirm name, social insurance number, address, etc…
- If you have legitimate concerns regarding your personal information being compromised, find the government agencies’ phone number through a trusted source (official website) and contact the government agency directly.
- The best protection from scammers is to learn how to resist being pushed into a decision regardless of how persuasive or aggressive the scammer may be.
Arm yourself and the vulnerable people in your life by learning how to recognize and protect yourself from fraud at Canada’s Anti-Fraud Centre. www.antifraudcentre.ca. Please report any attempts of this kind to the Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 during regular business hours.
If you have any information about these fraudulent activities please contact Valleyview RCMP at 780-524-3345 or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
Media contact:
Corporal Deanna Fontaine
Media Relations Officer
Western Alberta District RCMP
780-995-7310