RCMP warns of scam

By Rob Vogt, Local Press Writer

If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from STARS Air Ambulance, it is a scam.

Last week, the Claresholm RCMP issued an advisory that Claresholm residents have been receiving calls from scammers claiming to be associated with the STARS lottery.

The Claresholm detachment themselves received such a call. Unfortunately, these calls are not legitimate but the caller cannot be tracked.

STARS said there are two points to keep in mind.

A person will never be asked to send money to claim a STARS lottery prize. If someone is being asked to send a cheque, money order, or payment of any kind to claim their lottery prize, it is a scam. People are urged to hang up the phone or delete the email.

People should also check with STARS directly to verify if they are a winner. People are always welcome to check the official lottery winners list on the STARS website or contact them to confirm if they have won a prize.

Everyone should also always use STARS’ official numbers and websites:

• 1-888-880-0992
• inquiries@starslotteryalberta.ca
• http://starslotteryalberta.ca/

People should not use the ones a scammer may provide. Anyone who receives a call or e-mail they suspect is a scam, is urged to report it to the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501, or the Claresholm RCMP at 403-625-4445.