By Emily Keller

PHONE SCAM

Grande Prairie RCMP warn public of bitcoin phone scam

Sep 3, 2019 | 2:10 PM

Grande Prairie RCMP are warning the public of scams involving cryptocurrency, specifically bitcoin.

RCMP say in the last week they have received several reports of suspects posing as energy providers alerting the customer that they owe money and their energy services will be shut off if they do not pay immediately.

Victims are then sent a ‘bar code’ via text and directed to a bit coin machine to pay the money.

RCMP advise residents and businesses to use caution any time they are asked for money. Tips to protect yourself include:

• Verify the caller or senders phone number or email address – scammers will often create numbers and addresses that are very similar to legitimate ones, or even appearing to be the same. Legitimate businesses do not mind you calling back to verify.
• Inspect emails and documents carefully before making any payments – fraudsters will use company names or logos similar to known businesses to make invoices seem real.
• Know that reputable organizations will never ask for private or personal information through email or text.
• Never use the phone number or email address provided in a suspicious message – use the contact information listed on verified websites or bills.
• Never feel pressured to make a quick decision – take time to verify.

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Further information on how to protect your or your business against scams can be found here, or by calling the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-800-495-8501.

RCMP ask anyone wanting to file a police complaint regarding this phone scam or any other fraudulent phone calls to please contact your local RCMP office.