Protect yourself from frauds and scams

The Squamish RCMP have received numerous reports of Fraud over the past several weeks, and are reminding the public to stay vigilant and cautious when being asked for money.

Squamish RCMP have been called to similar reports of fraud, where a person receives a call from someone posing as their family member, and requests money for bail, or hospital bills. The caller obtains personal information, and addresses, then, posing as bail collectors shows up at residences to collect the money. The amounts requested have ranged from $5000-$10,000.

Another common scam being reported is that of the fire extinguisher checks. The reports have typically involved a person calling a business, and stating that the fire extinguishers are expired. The caller tells the employee that they have spoken to the manager and the employee needs to take-action, as the money needs to be immediately transferred. The caller requests the money be transferred in the way of gift cards, or BitCoin to pay the owed balance, or the business would be shut down. It appears the caller may have visited the businesses in the days or weeks prior as, the caller knows particulars about the business, including managers, and employee names. In more than one report, while the employee has been on the phone with one person, a second person either attends the business, or sends a text message to the employee posing as managers.

Police, Bail supervisors or other legitimate persons or business representatives will not attend a residence to obtain money, or request transfers to be in gift card or BitCoin form. These scams can happen to anyone, don’t feel pressured or hustled; and slow down to take a minute before providing any information or money. Call your local police to report scam calls. Says Sgt. Dallas Langley, OPS NCO of the Squamish RCMP.

To learn more about current frauds and scams, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre