Phone Scam Warning

A scam warning is being issued to Penticton and area residents.

Al Sismey of Crime Stoppers says the 'Dial Nine' scam has been reported in Penticton.

"We've had several calls about this scam from people in the area. People answering the phone are told they have won a vacation and must press '9' in order to collect it. Once nine is hit, your name and number are added to a list which can be sold to other phone solicitors," says Sismey.

He says the other point of this scam is to keep you on the phone as long as possible in order to try and sell you things, such as time shares.

"The longer you stay on the line, the longer they have to try and sell you something and these people are very good talkers. They can convince you what they are selling is the greatest thing since Gerber's Baby food," says Sismey.

He says new phone scams are appearing all the time, but there is a very easy way to avoid them.

"Just hang up. You don't owe the person on the other end any of your time,"
says Sismey.