Mounties are warning businesses in the heavy-duty trucking and transportation sector after a large-scale credit card fraud scheme spanned across Saskatchewan and into neighbouring provinces.
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The Saskatchewan RCMP’s central district general investigation section (GIS) launched an inquiry in March following multiple reports of fraudulent phone purchases targeting tire shops, automotive suppliers and fuel distributors.
Police say fraudsters contact businesses by phone to order high-value items — such as truck tires, engine oil and trailer parts — using stolen or compromised credit card details.
Transactions initially appear approved and pending, prompting companies to release the goods to couriers. However, the credit card payments are subsequently declined after shipment, leaving businesses with significant material losses.
So far, investigators have identified 12 impacted businesses across Saskatchewan, including operations in Battleford, Weyburn, Hudson Bay, Kindersley, Biggar, Assiniboia, White Butte, Moosomin, Cudworth and Onion Lake.
No charges have been laid, but police say the scam extends across provincial borders into other parts of Western Canada.
“Investigators believe additional businesses have been targeted and are encouraging those who’ve received an order under suspicious circumstances, regardless of whether it resulted in a financial or material loss, to report it to police,” RCMP said in a release Wednesday.
While heavy-duty transport suppliers are the primary targets, Mounties caution that businesses in other sectors could also be at risk.
RCMP advise businesses taking phone orders to exercise caution, particularly when customers offer multiple credit cards after an initial card is declined, request rushed deliveries, or present unusual buying patterns. Police also advise verifying caller identity prior to processing transactions over the phone.
Anyone who suspects they have been targeted or victimized is asked to contact their local RCMP detachment, local police service, or submit an anonymous tip through Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers.
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