The New Westminster Police Department has issued an alert after about 30 people received calls from a scammer who is spoofing its non-emergency number.
The police department is warning the public that its non-emergency number (604-525-5411) is currently being spoofed by fraudsters who are contacting people with the objective of obtaining their personal information.
“The fraudsters are using technology to make it appear as if the incoming call is from the New Westminster Police Department,” said a NWPD news release. “If the call is answered, the fraudster may fabricate an officer’s name and badge number to attempt to gain trust and obtain sensitive personal information.”
The New Westminster Police Department is recommending people protect themselves by taking the following these steps:
- Do not provide personal information over the phone.
- Do not be intimidated by any demands made by the caller.
- End the call.
- Verify the credentials of the caller by calling the NWPD’s non-emergency phone number. Do not call back “the police” by using any phone numbers provided to you by the fraudster.
“As of this morning, we’ve had callers as far away as Toronto asking to confirm if the call made to them was real,” said Sgt. Andrew Leaver in the April 9 release. “Approximately 30 people this morning have called us about suspicious calls from someone claiming to be one of our officers.”
The New Westminster Police Department is monitoring the situation and asks community members to share news about this scam with friends and loved ones.
