Richmond RCMP warn of police impersonation phone scam

Richmond RCMP are warning residents about an increase in calls from scammers posing as police officers to obtain bank and credit card information.

In one recent case, a resident gave credit card information to a caller claiming to be an officer and later suffered more than $1,000 in fraudulent transactions. Police say the callers use spoofed caller ID, making the number appear to belong to a real police line.

The scammers tell people that someone is trying to defraud them and that police need their card information to prevent further losses. Cpl. Eddie Chow said police will never ask for credit-card information, banking details or a PIN by phone.

Residents should hang up on unexpected requests for financial information and verify the caller through a number they find independently, RCMP said. Anyone who has shared information should contact their bank or card provider immediately and report the incident to local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or antifraudcentre.ca.