A B.C. widow is warning others not to believe scammers pretending to be police trying to get money.
Marian, who asked only to be identified by her first name, has had to put her home telephone on mute after being barraged by fraudsters every day for weeks.
She explains how the calls first started this time last year. The phone display read 'CDN Police Association.’
"Last year, around this time, my husband had just passed away and they phoned,” she says. "I explained that I didn't know what my financial situation was at that time so I could not donate.”
She knew it was a scam and refused to give them any money.
“This woman didn't care. She just kept pushing me until I got rude, told her off and put the phone down,” she says.
She was spared from the persistent phone calls until recently.
"They phone daily sometimes two or three times in the day. They are ruthless.”
Marian admits they often change their number but always ask for donations; recently, they used the number 778-562-6739 to contact her.
“It's just as frustrating,” she tells Glacier Media. “The sad thing is, I always feel so sorry for the elderly people. Because there's so many elderly people that are on their own, and they don't really understand how these scams work.”
She hopes by sharing her story others will ignore the scammers too.
That’s also the same message echoed by Ridge Meadows RCMP after they alerted the public on Nov. 6 that people are impersonating police.
"Ridge Meadows RCMP has received multiple reports today regarding citizens receiving fraudulent calls from people impersonating the RCMP,” says a spokesperson.
Police confirm that the RCMP does not engage in, endorse or conduct mail or telephone solicitation to raise funds for community policing programs. Like any request for donations, the public is encouraged to research the organization or charity thoroughly prior to making any donations.
No information should ever be given to a person over the phone until you are satisfied they are who they say they are, states RCMP.
Police also suggest looking up the phone number of the police agency they say they are calling from. Alternatively, people can call 911 to ask dispatchers to verify the contact.
Vancouver police are aware of people posing as police, but have not seen fraudsters specifically posing as VPD.
Staff Sgt. Kris Clark says he has no information to suggest that this is either isolated to Ridge Meadows or more widespread.
If you receive a call from a person pretending to be a police officer, you’re asked to contact the non-emergency line (604-463-6251) or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre if you've given out any personal info.
