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By rdnewsNOW staff

Fraud Prevention Month

Red Deer RCMP warn public of texting scam

Mar 22, 2024 | 4:45 PM

Red Deer RCMP are warning about a new text message scam involving speeding violation tickets.

Red Deer RCMP, along with other police agencies, have received reports of a new scam that is circulating throughout Canada. The scam involves the victim receiving a text message stating that their vehicle has been detected exceeding the speed limit and has a link to a website to pay a ticket. Mounties say do not click on the link and do not make any payments to the website.

Red Deer RCMP would like to remind the public that no government or police organization issues tickets via text messaging. Police strongly advise that if you receive any suspicious text messages do not reply and do not click any links. If you are unsure if a message or phone call is fraudulent, RCMP encourage you to contact the person/business/organization to confirm.

If you suspect you have been a victim of fraud, please contact Red Deer RCMP at 403-406-2200 and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre either by telephone 1-888-495-8501 or online at https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.

RCMP say victims of identity fraud should also report the incident to Canada’s credit bureaus, Equifax and Transunion. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.

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Meantime, this March, the Alberta RCMP are sharing information and resources in support of the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association’s (ACCPA) Fraud Prevention Month campaign.

The campaign, which includes a weekly theme, seeks to educate Albertans on the many ways that fraudulent activity impacts their communities, say Alberta Mounties.

This week’s theme focuses on investment scams, which includes, but is not limited to:

• Investment fraud via social media;
• Ponzi or pyramid schemes;
• Cryptocurrency scams;
• Real estate investment scams; and,
• Offshore investment schemes.

How can you better protect yourself from these types of scams? Here are some helpful resources from the Alberta Securities Commission (ASC):

• Learn more about common cryptocurrency investment scams and the red flags of fraud;
• Learn about the types of investment scams carried out in-person, over the phone or online; and,
• Consult with the Alberta Securities Commission’s Alberta-based registrant list and their investment caution list.

“When it comes to investing, you should always be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities or pressure tactics from a stranger,” says Cpl. Sean Milne, Alberta RCMP Provincial Financial Crime Team. “Take the time to thoroughly research the legitimacy of the investment, ask questions, and check the registration of the individual or firm by visiting CheckFirst.ca – which is brought to you by the Alberta Securities Commission. Generally, anyone offering investments or investment advice to Albertans should be registered with the ASC.”

If you are suspicious about an investment that has been offered to you or feel that you or someone you know is the victim of investment fraud, please report it to your located law enforcement agency and the Alberta Securities Commission at 1-403-355-3888.

Instances of compromised personal and/or financial information should be reported to your bank and credit card company. To learn more about the various types of frauds and scams, please visit the CAFC’s scam webpage.

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