An uptick in fraud and scam calls in the Meadow Lake area of recent has led Meadow Lake R-C-M-P to remind residents within their jurisdiction that government agencies and legitimate businesses don’t call and ask you to buy a gift card in order to pay a bill, collect a debt or unlock your government I-D.

The increase in fraud and scam calls have complainants being asked by fraudsters to make payments over the phone. The fraudster has, in some instances, provided a badge number as if to imply they are a police officer. They have also asked for social insurance numbers, advising the potential victim that their assets will be frozen if payments aren’t made. In addition, once the gift cards are purchased to, supposedly, pay off a bill or debt, the fraudster asks the victim for the code on the back of the card, which gives the fraudster access to all the funds added to the card. Meadow Lake R-C-M-P remind people that if you receive a call that you believe to be a scam or fraudulent, you can report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, either by phone or on-line.