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The Red Deer RCMP have recently received multiple reports of fraudulent phone calls involving fraudsters pretending to be RCMP officers and/or alleged detainees.
This scam involves the fraudster calling from either a spoofed caller ID phone number, or an unknown number.
The fraudster then identifies themselves as the RCMP or a family member demanding money to either pay a fine or bail.
The public are reminded the RCMP will never contact you asking for payment.
Red Deer RCMP have the following recommendations to help protect yourself from this type of fraud:
· If you receive a phone call similar to the one described, hang up the phone and contact the person or organization directly from a known and trusted phone number
· Do not post personal information online or social media
· Speak with your friends and family and come up with a phrase or code word for when they are in trouble. This will help ensure you are speaking to the correct person
Red Deer RCMP encourages the public to visit The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to familiarize themselves with the many different types of scams out there, as well as to access information and resources to share with family and friends.
If you have fallen victim to this or any other scam, please contact Red Deer RCMP at 403-406-2200, as well as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, or 1-888-495-8501). To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.
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