Telephone Scams on the Rise

Manitoba Post StaffNews

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Police Service has been receiving an increased number of reports regarding telephone scams. Citizens are reporting receiving recorded phone calls advising their social insurance number has been compromised. The recording directs them to call back immediately to avoid being arrested. The callers are then asked to confirm their social insurance number by the fraudster.

Members of the public are reminded that fraudsters will try to obtain your personal information with the intention of committing future crimes. They are often very aggressive and will resort to suggesting the police are already involved or will become involved if the victim does not comply with the request for information.

Tips to remember:

Never give out personal information such as account numbers, SINs, passwords, or other identifying information in response to unexpected calls.

The Canada Revenue Agency has your identity information and does not use the phone to solicit it.

Police agencies and investigators would not solicit this information over the phone.

If you get a call from someone who says they represent a legitimate company or a government agency and are seeking personal information, hang up and call the government agency, financial institution or police service to confirm the authenticity of the call.

The Government of Canada offers anti-fraud information at

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/portfolio/service-canada/fraud.html

If you would like to learn more about tax scams or other types of fraud, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

Protect yourself: never agree to requests for information or for payment without researching the validity of the caller.