Phone scammers impersonating Saanich police are demanding people deposit money into Bitcoin machines or risk arrest.
Saanich police say in some cases, call display shows the calls come from “Saanich Police Department” or display the department’s main phone number, 250-475-4321.
The callers claim a breach has occurred with a social insurance number and ask to verify the last three numbers of the SIN card. They then tell people who answer their calls that they owe money because the card is compromised.
The scammers demand people withdraw money from bank accounts and deposit it in local Bitcoin machines, or buy iTunes cards and share the numbers on the back of the card.
Saanich police said the scammers are being extremely aggressive, but no residents have reported losing money yet.
Police said when people receiving the calls have told the scammers they want to call or visit the police department to verify the demand, they’re told they’ll be arrested when they arrive at the station.
Saanich police are reminding residents they will never call to demand money or direct residents to deposit money in Bitcoin machines.
Anyone who suspects a scam call should document the phone number and hang up, police advised. Report the calls to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
They also ask residents to alert people they know who might be vulnerable to such scams.
