Lethbridge police warn of new scam

By Jensen, Randy on March 23, 2020.

LETHBRIDGE HERALD

Lethbridge Police are advising the public of a scam involving the impersonation of LPS officers.

Last week a local man was contacted by phone and told his social insurance number had been used in a multi-million-dollar fraud. The caller asked the male for his SIN to confirm it was under investigation and he subsequently provided it. Following a brief exchange the caller asked the male for the phone number of his local police service. The man provided the non-emergency complaints line 403-328-4444 and a short time later received a new call from 403-330-4444.

The caller identified himself as an LPS officer and advised the male he needed to send money to LPS via wire transfer as well as a quantity of Google Play cards. After providing payment the victim called LPS directly to ask some additional questions and was informed he had been defrauded.

The public is advised that LPS will never demand cash payments- by wire transfer, gift cards or any other means – and residents should never give out personal or financial information to unsolicited callers.

While police may contact people by phone, anyone who receives an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be an officer can confirm their identity by requesting the officer’s name and badge number, then contacting LPS directly at 403-328-4444.

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