Kelowna RCMP warn residents of Service Canada scam

Photo: Jon Manchester

Kelowna RCMP are warning of a new scam in which callers pretend to be from Service Canada.

Over the past few days, police have received several reports of the scam, which targets recent immigrants and preys on their fear of being deported.

RCMP urge residents to take precautions to protect their personal and financial information.

“This recent scam is concerning, as the caller ID number shown is the phone number to the Kelowna RCMP detachment," says Const. Lesley Smith.

“We are asking the public that should they receive a call from someone identifying themselves as a Service Canada employee, and they demand money, to hang up the phone. Service Canada will not call you and demand money and will not arrest you or have the powers of deportation.”

The scam begins with a cold-call with the scammer fraudulently claiming to be from Service Canada. The scammer advises that your social insurance number has been compromised and you must pay thousands of dollars in the form of Bitcoin, or they threaten to have you arrested and deported.

Police remind the public not to send anyone money or Bitcoin.

“You do not need to call your local police if you have only received a scam phone call," says Smith. "We ask that you call your local police only if you have been victimized by the scam."

For further information on scams, visit the RCMP scams and fraud tip link or www.rcmp.bc.ca