(ST. JOHN’S, NL) –February 28, 2023 – The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) Economic Crimes Unit (ECU) advise the community of an increase in telephone fraud scams.

It has become a regular occurrence for people across our province to receive phone calls, emails or text messages from fraudsters impersonating government officials, well-known companies, and family members.

These impersonators attempt to de-fraud people by using manipulation and scare tactics. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) has labelled some impersonation scams as “emergency or grandparent scams”. These particular fraudsters will contact seniors, or family members, claiming a loved one is arrested, has been in an accident or some other scenario requiring immediate assistance. They will use these scenarios to manipulate the call taker into sending money. These scams take advantage of a person’s good nature and desire to cooperate with agencies, who they believe to be legitimate.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and CAFC offer some helpful tips to prevent fraud from happening to you or your loved ones:

• If you receive a call from anyone claiming to be law enforcement, looking to obtain personal information, end the conversation and contact your local police service directly.
• Use caution posting online. Fraudsters can gather information from your social media accounts that will make their claims of sound legitimate.
• Don’t trust a number just because it is local or familiar. Fraudsters may use technology that will disguise their actual contact.
• If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be a family member who is arrested, in hospital, or in an emergency requiring immediate money transfers, hang up and contact the person and/or agencies mentioned directly.
• If you receive any type of unsolicited mail, phone call, email or text messages that ask for any type of personal information, do not respond, and delete or discard it immediately.
• If you are conducting any type of business online or over the phone, make sure you have validated who you are dealing with.

Anyone with information regarding these type of scams or any similar incidents can report to the CAFC at Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca) and 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.

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Cst. James. C. Cadigan  #775
Media Relations & Public Communication
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
media@rnc.gov.nl.ca