Kitscoty RCMP is warning residents about spoofing scams in which fraudsters fake phone numbers to make calls appear to come from police, banks or government offices.
Read more: Sask. proposes tighter rules for personal care homes
Spoofing happens when scammers alter a phone number, email address or text message so it looks legitimate, the detachment said in a news release.
What residents are reporting
Police say they have recently received reports of scammers posing as RCMP officers, government representatives, financial institutions and cybercrime investigators.
In some cases, callers made their numbers appear to come from a local RCMP detachment, according to the release.
Victims told police they were warned their personal information had been compromised, or that they were linked to a criminal investigation and had to act quickly to protect their money.
Fraudsters rely on urgency to pressure victims into handing over personal information, banking details, passwords, security codes or payments, police said.
A familiar number or an official-sounding title on the other end of the line does not confirm who is actually calling, the detachment said.
The warning comes months after Kitscoty RCMP hosted a town hall on rural crime prevention, and follows a similar alert from Battlefords RCMP about a caller posing as police earlier this year.
How to spot a spoofing scam
Kitscoty RCMP offered the following tips to help residents identify and avoid spoofing scams:
Do not trust caller ID alone — scammers can change the number or name that shows up on a screen.
Verify before acting. If a caller claims to be from a bank, government agency or the RCMP, hang up and call back using a number from the organization’s official website.
Never share passwords, banking details, verification codes or Social Insurance Numbers with someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
Be wary of threats or urgent demands, as fraudsters often claim an account is compromised or that legal action is imminent.
Do not click suspicious links in unexpected emails, texts or social media messages.
Never send money under pressure — gift cards, cryptocurrency and wire transfers are red flags, police said.
Talk to a family member, friend or trusted adviser if something feels wrong.
How to report a suspected scam
Police are asking anyone who believes they were targeted to report the attempt, even if no money was lost.
Residents should gather emails, text messages, documents and transaction records, and contact their financial institution right away if money was sent or banking details were shared.
Anyone with information about criminal activity can call Kitscoty RCMP at 780-846-2781. To remain anonymous, residents can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online.
Police also ask victims to report fraud to their local police service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.
Every report helps protect others and assists investigators, police said.
Read more: Bobcats sweep three-game road trip with dominant week
