File photo.
The Red Deer RCMP have received reports of fraudulent phone calls involving individuals pretending to be bank employees.
The scam involves the fraudster calling from either a spoofed phone number or an unknown number.
The person then identifies themselves as a bank employee demanding gift cards or cryptocurrency to assist them with removing unauthorized charges from their accounts.
RCMP have issued recommendations to help protect residents from this type of fraud:
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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.
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Do not post personal information online or on social media.
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Remember that government organizations and banking institutions will never ask for payment by gift cards or cryptocurrency.
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. 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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