Mounties are warning people of spoof calls following a rise of targeted scams in Kelowna, B.C.
The scammers, while manipulating their caller ID to look as though they are calling from the Kelowna RCMP detachment’s non-emergency line 250-762-3300, have been ringing victims and pretending to be RCMP officers with fake badge numbers, Mounties said in a statement Tuesday.
The caller requests the victim’s personal information, stating that they are calling regarding an investigation into a criminal offence.
“We have received nearly 20 calls from would-be victims around the country trying to ascertain the legitimacy of these spoof phone calls,” says Cpl. Michael Gauthier, in the statement.
“Fortunately, because they did in fact call us directly, we were able to confirm these calls as fraudulent and ease their concerns. We are still looking into these incidents and are unaware of any financial loss at this time.”
The RCMP’s request for caution comes after police forces in Delta, Surrey and, in January this year, Vancouver, issued their own warnings regarding similar targeted phone scams.
To avoid being sucked into such a scam, police are advising the public to keep in mind that scammers can alter the phone number that displays during an incoming call, and to let the call go to voicemail if an unexpected or unrecognised call comes in.
Do not press “progress” following any automated prompts if unsure of the call, and never provide personal or financial information over the phone if the call was incoming, said police.
“If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Kelowna RCMP or identifying themselves as an officer, you may ask for their name, associated file number and purpose of the call, and call the detachment directly using contact information you know and trust,” said the statement.
