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June 25, 2020 - 11:45 AM
The Kamloops RCMP is warning the public again about a phone scam where the caller ID shows up as the number for the local police detachment.
In a media release, police say they have received various reports from citizens who have received a call from a scammer claiming to be from the RCMP, who states they have a warrant out for their arrest.
The caller then demands payment in form of gift cards to get rid of the warrant.
“These scam phone calls are often convincing because the call ID says 250-828-3000, which the phone number for the Kamloops RCMP,” Kamloops RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jodi Shelkie says in the release. “Everyone should be aware that the police will never demand payment of any kind to get rid of an arrest warrant."
This isn't the first time RCMP in Kamloops have warned that fraudsters were spoofing the detachment's phone number.
In October last year, police alerted residents of a similar scam where the fraudster informs potential victims that there is a warrant for their arrest and they are instructed to deposit BitCoin into an account to avoid a police officer coming to their residence and arresting them.
Police are urging people to tell their friends and family about the scam so that no one falls victim.
If you believe you've been contacted by a scammer, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center at 1-888-495-8501 or do so online here.
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