Beware Canada Revenue Agency scam

By Rob Vogt, Local Press Writer
It may be taking on different forms, but the Canada Revenue Agency scam is making the rounds again.
The idea is the same as it has always been.
Someone claiming to be with the Canada Revenue Agency will phone you demanding cash, or the police will be dispatched to arrest you.
The latest twist is that payment is to be made by buying iTunes or Google Play cards.
As soon as the fraudsters get they personal identification number on those cards, they can access the cash.
Sergeant Greg Stannard of the Claresholm RCMP points out the Canada Revenue Agency does not phone people, they send letters.
“You shouldn’t give them any information,” he cautions, whether it be your social insurance number or birthdate.
“(Instead) ask them to send it to you in the mail,” he said.
After all, if they are from the Canada Revenue Agency they would already have your mailing address as well as access to your birthdate and social insurance number.
If in doubt, call the Claresholm RCMP detachment, or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or www.antifraudcentre.ca.

Fake gold scam appears
Another scam has reared its ugly head in the Claresholm area.
It is called the fake gold scam, and recently a local couple encountered fraudsters.
They were approached by a couple, claiming to be from Turkey, at a gas station asking them to fuel their car since their credit card was damaged.
The card was deliberately broken.
The couple told the fraudsters to talk to the proprietor when they offered them a “gold” ring.
They got perturbed and left.
“It’s a scam,” said Sergeant Greg Stannard of the Claresholm RCMP.
He cautions people that if something seems too good to be true, it is.
Moreover, the jewellery in this case is worth nothing.
If in doubt, call the Claresholm RCMP detachment, or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or www.antifraudcentre.ca.

RCMP investigate hit and run
The Claresholm RCMP are seeking the public’s assistance in solving a recent hit and run.
Between Oct. 6 and Oct. 15, a GMC truck parked at the Claresholm Agriplex was struck by an unknown vehicle. The RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect vehicle. If you have information on this incident, or any other, you are encouraged to contact the Claresholm RCMP at 403-625-4445 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) for a reward.