A financial fraud phone scam making its rounds in New Brunswick has police issuing a warning to residents.
RCMP have received reports of people claiming to be a police officer calling victims to say they are holding a family member in custody.
According to police, the suspected scammer then demands a large sum of money from the victim to have the family member released.
“Be cautious of any call you receive from a number you do not recognize, especially if you are being asked for a large sum of money,” RCMP Cpl. Hans Ouellette said in a news release.
“This type of scam often targets senior citizens that have limited access to the internet or who don’t use social media, and preys on the fear of a loved one being hurt or in trouble.”
The RCMP spokesperson also noted that the Canadian criminal justice system does not allow for someone to be bailed out of jail with cash or money.
Police said if you get one of these calls, you should hang up immediately and not provide any confidential personal or financial information.
If you receive a voice message asking for money or personal information from someone claiming to be a police agency, do not call the phone number provided. Instead, use a phone number from a trusted source to verify the legitimacy of the request.
The call should be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. If you have been a victim of fraud, also contact your local police and your financial institution.
