Your phone is ringing, and you check the caller ID display, which tells you the call is coming from a source you trust. You answer, and the caller on the other end describes an urgent business matter demanding you share personal information, such as your SIN (Social Insurance Number), or your banking information for an urgent payment.
On Monday, June 22, 2020 police received a report of a phone-call fraud attempt. The particular call appeared on call display to be from the Regina Police Service (306-777-6500). The caller claimed to be a Constable from the Regina Police Service and explained that police had been notified by the CRA that the person’s SIN had been compromised, and as a result several fraudulent bank accounts had been opened in the person’s name. The caller said police had launched a fraud investigation as a result. The caller told the person on the other end of the line that they would transfer them to a “CRA Agent” who then told the person that their SIN would be cancelled and asked the person to go to the bank and withdraw money from their accounts.
Fortunately, the person who received the call was suspicious; they called their bank and the bank confirmed the call was indeed a scam. It was then reported to police.
In light of this call, the Regina Police Service is reminding citizens to be vigilant and refuse to give personal or financial information over the phone. Remember: a Canadian Police Service will NEVER call to demand that you bring them, or other organizations money.
Caller ID display can be manipulated so it appears to be from a trusted organization. Caller ID Spoofing software has become openly available and requires minimal effort, which means a scammer can pretend to be anybody on your phone’s caller ID display. Until this situation changes, it’s up to the person receiving the call to be vigilant and refuse to give personal or financial information over the phone. No matter how urgent the story or authoritative the caller, it’s your personal information and you do not need to share it over the phone. If the caller claims to be from a business you trust, call the business back on a number you know is correct. DO NOT use a call-back number that the caller has provided.
If you are a victim of a Caller ID spoofing scam, or any other fraud, please call the Regina Police Service at 306-777-6500. If you have received a fraudulent call but are not a victim (meaning you have not shared your personal information, bank information, and have not made any payment) then there is no need to call police.
