(file photo/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Medicine Hat Police Service number spoofed, victim scammed in fraudulent scheme

Jul 13, 2021 | 12:08 PM

MEDICINE HAT-AB- The MHPS is reminding the public to be extra vigilant after their phone number was spoofed a few days ago.

Acting Staff Sgt. Adam Gregory, told CHAT NEWS that an individual received a phone call from someone claiming to be a member of the Medicine Hat Police Service.The fraudster told the victim that their personal information was compromised.

” They gave them direction to withdraw money from their personal account, and to place it in an account through Bitcoin,” he said.

The victim, according to Staff Sgt. Gregory followed through and lost about $1000.

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Police say elaborate phone scam schemes are common in the city, and they are difficult to determine suspects because they often use untraceable methods The last time the MHPS phone number was spoofed was a few years ago. Acting Staff Sgt. Gregory said the fraudsters will often use an app to create a number that is more recognizable to people, whether it is a local number, the CRA, or a known business.

But there are some ways to spot red flags and to know if a call you are receiving is legitimate.

” Anytime we are receiving a phone call from anyone that is requesting personal information, whether it is our social insurance number or security questions for anything, just be really vigilant. If you are not 100 per cent satisfied of the person on the other end feel free to hang up and go to your bank statements or any statement that you may have and call that number. That’s the official number and confirm with them,” he said.

In terms of receiving phone calls from the Medicine Hat Police, Acting Staff Sgt. Gregory recommends calling the dispatch number if you don’t believe you are speaking to a legitimate officer. The dispatch will then connect you to someone who actually works there.