By Constable Bill McKenna, Valemount RCMP, with additional files from Goat staff
On June 22, 2020, Valemount RCMP received two reports from local citizens advising that they received calls from local numbers where the caller asks the recipient to press 1 to speak with someone or the police would be arresting them. RCMP advise this is a fraudulent attempt to obtain personal information from you and do not disclose any information to the caller. ” If you do not trust that you are speaking with an RCMP officer or delegate, hang up and call the local detachment at 250-566-4466,” local police advise.
The Goat received such a call and recorded it.
Fraudsters can “spoof” any number to make it appear they are calling from a local business or perhaps a number known to you already, police say. RCMP advise using caution if you suspect you are receiving a fraudulent call and never disclose any personal or financial information over the phone or internet. Visit tinyurl.com/szrpodn (a link to the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre) for information about frauds and scams and learn what you can do if you are a victim of fraud.
