STARS Air Ambulance scam going around again
By Rob Vogt, Local Press Writer
A scam where people receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from STARS Air Ambulance, is making the rounds again.
Last week, there were reports that Claresholm residents have been receiving calls from scammers claiming to be associated with the STARS lottery.
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.
The Claresholm RCMP advise people to never give out their personal information or their banking information.
Anyone who receives a call or e-mail they suspect is a scam, is encouraged to report it to the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501, or the Claresholm RCMP at 403-625-4445.
The detachment also has a valuable guide available to the public called “The Little Black Book of Scams” which is free of charge while supplies last.