Since April 1^st,2020 the Medicine Hat Police Service has received 19 reports from local residents impacted by fraud and scam attempts. The calls that have been trending in Medicine Hat are:

• Canada Revenue Agency Scam

The caller will identify themselves as being from the Canada Revenue Agency and accuse the person of owing money and will also make threats to have the person arrested and charged.

The scammer will direct the person to purchase Google Play or iTunes gift cards to pay off their debt and instruct them to call back with the serial numbers. The cards will then be used by the scammer to sell on the black market.

• SIN Compromised

The caller will identify themselves as a police officers and advise the victim that their Social Insurance Number (SIN) has been compromised and is linked to numerous police files involving money laundering. Victims are told that the police are on their way if they do not verify information and transfer money. Victims are asked to provide their full name, date of birth and SIN number to complete the verification and often the call is placed on hold numerous times to confuse the victim. Victims are advised that in order to protect the money in the bank account, they need to withdraw it and deposit it into a bitcoin account and then an officer would attend to supply them with a new social insurance number.

To protect against these common frauds, it is important to remain vigilant and NEVER provide personal or financial information over the phone. Likewise, never comply with an unsolicited phone caller who demands payment in gift cards.

Remember:

• The CRA will never call and threaten to have you arrested for not paying your taxes.

• The CRA will never ask for payment in the form of gift cards or prepaid credit cards.

• If you are contacted and told you owe money, always confirm with the CRA directly. Look up the phone number online and do not use the call back number that the caller has provided. Do not trust your call display. It may say Police or ABC but in reality it is a scammer.

• If your workplace sells gift cards, be on the lookout for potential victims and inform them about this scam. Victims may seem stressed and agitated and purchasing a large amount of gift cards.

If you or someone you know is a victim of the CRA scam or any other fraud contact the Medicine Hat Police Service at 403-529-8481 to report.

Due to the extremely high volume of fraudulent call attempts, if you have received a fraudulent call but are not a victim (meaning you have not shared your personal information, bank information, and have not made any payment) then there is no need to report or contact police

For more information about these and other common frauds and scams visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Media Contact:
Sgt Darlene Garrecht
Community Safety Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8451