Saskatchewan police are warning the public to remain alert after a recent surge in fraudulent text messages claiming recipients owe money for traffic citations.
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On July 28, Saskatchewan RCMP said they continue to receive reports of the scam, with recent clusters reported in the Carnduff and Indian Head regions.
The text messages falsely claim to be from the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan and direct recipients to click an included link to pay an outstanding traffic ticket online.
Investigators noted the scam messages originated from phone numbers using a “+21” area code.
Police emphasize that these texts are not legitimate. Mounties advise anyone who receives one not to click any links, send money, or provide personal or financial information.
RCMP recommend taking the following steps if targeted by a scammer:
- Block the sender’s phone number immediately and do not reply.
- Do not send money, electronic transfers, or gift cards.
- Keep records or screenshots of the messages.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone unsure about the legitimacy of a text message or who suspects they have fallen victim to fraud is urged to contact their local RCMP detachment by dialing 310-RCMP. Suspected scams can also be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or by calling toll-free at 1-888-495-8501.
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