Safety tips to save residents from scammers seeking holiday cash are being displayed on stickers at local businesses.
RCMP note there has been an increase in reports involving the purchase of gift cards that can be used as a form of payment to a scammer.
Local police and Citizens on Patrol volunteers will be placing stickers and signs at gift card displays and checkout areas at local businesses in Lloydminster. These stickers contain tips on what to do if you are approached via phone or e-mail to provide gift cards as payment for a service.
“We are reminding the public that groups such as the Canada Revenue Agency would never accept gift cards as a form of payment,” says Cst. Tyler Plant of the Lloydminster RCMP. “Many scams and frauds appear sophisticated or legit at first glance, but it is important to remind people to always be suspicious and to not send gift card information to people you don’t know.”
If you suspect you have been a victim of any fraud, please contact the Lloydminster RCMP at (780) 808-8400, or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-800-495-8501.