Phone and internet scammers pretending to be the local RCMP have been reported in Chilliwack.
The RCMP are putting out the word that they would never ask anyone for money in any way, nor would they ask for someone’s social insurance number or bank information.
But those calls can be believable, they say. That’s because the scammers are able to “spoof” any phone number to show up in call display — even a local RCMP detachment’s non-emergency line. They also have impersonated local police officers by name, which can make them seem very believable to someone receiving a call.
There have already been several reports of this type of police impersonation scam in Chilliwack, the RCMP said Monday.
READ MORE: Chilliwack woman warns of tax evasion phone scam
There are many types of scam phone calls in which fraudsters attempt to pass themselves off as someone in authority, such as a police officer or an employee of a financial institution, business or government agency including the Canada Revenue Agency.
The Chilliwack RCMP want the public to know that they do NOT solicit personal information about bank accounts or SIN numbers by phone; nor do they require individuals to withdraw money and convert it to Bitcoin. The RCMP will never ask you to withdraw funds from your bank account.
If you have reason to question the legitimacy of a call from someone claiming to be the RCMP, a financial institution or another government agency, hang up and call the organization yourself by using publicly accessible contact information. When in doubt, hang up immediately.
Chilliwack residents are encouraged to report this or any other fraud to the Chilliwack RCMP (604)-792-4611 and to report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.
READ MORE: Langford resident out $10,000 after bitcoin scam: West Shore RCMP
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