(St. John’s, NL), November 18, 2021 – The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) Economic Crime Unit (ECU) have launched a #StopScams campaign in an effort to create awareness and generate discussion about scams throughout our communities.

The RNC ECU are informing the community that government agencies will not request any form of payment over the phone or by e-mail in order to engage in an investigation or to clear any supposed investigation. These types of requests are scams which have become common around the world. Further to this, scammers will often request payment in Bitcoin or gift cards, as there is limited ability to track these methods of payment to those carrying out these scams.

At the RNC, officers with the ECU are focused on creating awareness and sparking discussion related to the common scams they see today. Officers are reminding the community to protect their personal information and to reach out to the RNC for assistance should you become victimized by suspected fraudulent activity. The officers with the RNC ECU will also liaise with partner agencies and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre in relation to scams, and to prevent the loss of hard earned money across our province.

Everyone can expect to see stop-sign posters throughout our communities as part of a campaign to #StopScams. Often times, we just need to stop for a moment to recognize that we have been contacted in a scam attempt. Whether it is by phone call, text message, e-mail, or messaging application, please stop and take steps to prevent the release of your money or personal information. Avoid clicking links or responding to e-mails and messages which you were not expecting.

The RNC ask that anyone who may have information related to scams to contact the RNC at 729-8000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can now provide information anonymously on the NL Crime Stoppers Website at www.nlcrimestoppers.com. Any contact with potential scams can be reported directly to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca), where you can also find information related to fraud across the country.

#StopScams  #YourRNC

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Cst. James Cadigan  #775
Media Relations Officer
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
media@rnc.gov.nl.ca
(709) 729-8658