PILOT BUTTE - White Butte RCMP are warning the public of a scam involving fraudulent phone calls in the area.
On Sept. 17, White Butte RCMP received three reports of a fraudulent telephone scam that is circulating in the area of Pilot Butte.
A fraudulent caller, reported to be male, is contacting victims and telling them there is an emergent situation and their grandchild or loved one is in legal trouble, such as them being in jail or a car accident. The caller lets the victim speak to their “loved one” over the phone, falsely replicating the voice of the victim’s family member. The fraudulent caller then instructs the victim to place a large sum of cash on their front doorstep to pay for their loved one’s legal fees. The money is then picked up by a woman.
She is described as being in her 20s. She has long, straight black hair. She has been seen wearing a medical mask and sunglasses. During the scams, she has presented herself by the name “Elaine Harrison”, although other names may be used.
If you receive a similar call, hang up immediately. Do not provide any information to the caller or follow through with their request.
White Butte RCMP encourage the public to take the following steps to prevent being a victim of telephone fraud:
- Slow things down. Scammers create a sense of urgency when they call. If you are unsure if a phone call is a scam, hang up and reach out to your relative with a number you know and trust.
- Do not provide confidential, personal, or financial information over the phone if you receive one of these calls.
- Never agree to meet with someone who called you asking for money.
- Be careful; scammers can spoof telephone numbers and make it appear as though they’re calling from a trusted source.
- If you receive a voicemail from someone who is asking for money or stating that they are police, a lawyer, or another form of government official, do not call them back.
If you receive a similar telephone call, contact your local police at 310-RCMP (7267). People should also report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or through its .
White Butte RCMP ask anyone with information or who witnessed suspicious activity in the areas of 2nd Street, 3rd Street, or 4th Avenue in Pilot Butte on Sept. 17 to call them at 310-RCMP or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers.
