RCMP warn of rising phone and mass marketing scams

Albertans are being urged to stay alert as phone and mass marketing scams continue to evolve, according to the Alberta RCMP.

The warning comes as part of Fraud Prevention Month, a campaign led by the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association to raise awareness about the growing impact of fraud on communities.

Police say scammers are increasingly using tactics such as spoofed phone numbers, fraudulent telemarketing calls and mass marketing schemes to target victims. Common scams include fake tech support calls, airline offers, Canada Revenue Agency impersonations, emergency or “grandparent” scams, and bogus lottery or inheritance claims.

Cpl. Sean Milne of the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region’s financial crime team said public awareness remains the most effective defence.

“In a world where mass marketing and phone scams grow more sophisticated every day, staying informed is our strongest defence,” Milne said in a statement.

Residents are encouraged to educate themselves on how scams operate, including how fraudsters may use phone calls, emails or text messages to obtain personal or financial information.

Authorities recommend consulting trusted resources such as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the Government of Canada website for information on common scam types and prevention strategies.

Anyone who suspects they are being targeted should avoid engaging and verify the request through official channels. Victims of fraud are urged to report incidents to local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and to immediately contact their financial institutions if sensitive information may have been compromised.