(File photo/paNOW Staff).

By Aaron Schulze

Phone Scams

Tisdale RCMP warning public of scam calls

Apr 15, 2019 | 5:04 PM

Tisdale RCMP warning public of scam calls

The Tisdale RCMP detachment said they’ve had several complaints regarding scam phone calls so far in 2019.

Residents in the Tisdale area have received fraud calls such as:

• Scammers claiming to be the Canadian Revenue Agency saying they haven’t paid their taxes and will face jail time.
• Known lotteries saying they need a payment before they can transfer the grand prize.
• The ‘grandparent scam’ where people pose as relatives in distress and request funds to be transferred .

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Cst. Charlene Gariepy told northeastNOW these scams have been common in the Tisdale area for a while.

“The Canadian Revenue Agency fraud, that’s been for a couple years, same with the lottery,” Cst. Gariepy said. “They just kind of keep replaying the scams over and over. It’s difficult to track these people because of the changing of numbers and trying to follow up with these numbers people are calling from. There’s often a variety of numbers that are calling the same person.”

In a release, the Tisdale RCMP listed some tips to keep residents’ information and finances safe from scammers over the phone or on the internet:

• Ensure online usernames or login information does not identify you – avoid using information such as your name, age or location.
• If making purchases online – buy from companies and sites that you trust.
• If you receive calls or messages from your banking institution, contact your bank directly to verify authenticity.
• Do not add friends you do not know.
• Adjust your privacy settings to control the information available to others.

Cst. Gariepy said a target of a scam doesn’t know the number that’s calling them, they shouldn’t answer.

“The people doing these scams can be very persistent, persuasive, and convincing for you to give them your personal information,” Cst. Gariepy said. “For you to be giving them money there would be repeat calls to your home demanding money for various scams and reasons.”

Police encourage people who believe they’re a victim of fraud should contact their local RCMP detachment or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow