submitted by RCMP
The RCMP Serious and Organized Crime Unit in Edmonton is warning the public to be wary of telephone calls where the caller identifies himself as a serving member of the RCMP, calling to collect unpaid taxes or fines.
The scammers threaten jail time, legal action and use coercive language to scare potential victims into sending money. The RCMP does not contact individuals for the purpose of collecting fines or taxes and never asks the public to make a payment over the telephone.
During one recent call to an Edmonton man, the caller stated he was an RCMP Officer from Manitoba. The caller provided a badge number, phone number, and demanded money for unpaid taxes.
The RCMP recommends the following preventive measures:
· Never divulge personal/financial information to unknown callers
· If you are not convinced a caller is a police officer, please call your local police service or
detachment to confirm their identity
· Consider a google search for any names/phone numbers provided. They may be associated with
known telephone scams previously reported online.
Anyone who receives a call from someone alleging to be a police officer colleting fines or taxes should hang up immediately, record the callers number and contact their local police, and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or http://www.antifraudcentre.ca.
