Purpose
This bulletin was prepared to advise the public that scammers may be displaying an RCMP telephone number on your caller ID.
Overview
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is advising the public that scammers may be displaying an RCMP telephone number on your caller ID. This is part of a common scheme where fraudsters claim your Social Insurance Number (SIN) has been blocked, compromised or suspended in order to commit identity fraud.
Criminals use “call-spoofing” to mislead victims. Do not assume that phone numbers appearing on call display are accurate. The scammers ask for the victim’s SIN number and other personal details allegedly to unblock or verify the SIN. Victims who provide personal information to the scammers put themselves at risk of financial loss or bad credit ratings.
Warning Signs – How to Protect Yourself
The RCMP will never contact you to ask for your SIN number over the phone. Never share personal information with anyone you do not know. Simply hang up the phone.
If you think you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1- 888-495-8501 or report online at http://www.antifraudcentre.ca.
The Bulletin is available for download here.
