Lethbridge Police Service file photo. (Image: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge residents scammed out of $550K so far this year

Aug 22, 2022 | 10:13 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) says scammers have been keeping themselves busy in 2022.

So far this year, police say locals have reported the loss of more than $500,000 in cash through a variety of scams while another $50,000 in cryptocurrency was lost.

Additional scams valued at $200,000 were attempted, but no losses were reported. The would-be victims in these cases either realized that they were being targeted or financial institutions intervened.

Recently, members of the LPS Economic Crimes Unit (ECU) have received six reports from local victims who had purchased gift cards as part of a scam. While all demographics were targeted, seniors were the most heavily impacted.

The scammers posed themselves as representatives of a government agency, bank, or other business and asked the victim to purchase gift cards or cryptocurrency.

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“A recent example involved a victim, who took an online job, being directed to purchase gift cards and forward them to another recipient,” reads a media release from LPS. “The electronic payment the ‘employer’ sent them for reimbursement ended up being fraudulent, and the victim was out the money used to buy the gift cards.”

Another scam that has become more common as of late involves scammers trying to gain remote access to peoples’ computers and other electronic devices. The goal is for the scammer to access your online bank accounts and other personal information.

“A common scam sees the target sent an unsolicited email about a virus detected in their computer with the repair company offering to remedy the problem if provided passwords and user names,” explains LPS.

Scams are often international, making it challenging for law enforcement agencies to go after.

LPS offered a few scam-prevention tips:

• Government agencies like the Canada Revenue Agency, Service Canada, police, and border services will not ask you to pay for anything using gift cards or cryptocurrency, nor will they ask for financial information.
• If somebody claiming to be from a law enforcement agency contacts you, they will already have your contact information. Many scammers will ask for your contact information so they can try to use it or sell it.
• Do not click on any links within an email from unfamiliar senders. If you are being told to go to a certain website, go to the known website, use an application you already have installed and know is legitimate, or attend the business in person.

Members of the Economic Crimes Unit have been providing information to local businesses on how they can ensure any gift cards they are selling are legitimate and how to protect their customers from scams.

Lethbridge residents who have fallen victim to scams and have lost money are asked to report it through the LPS complaint line at 403-328-4444. Those who have not been victimized but wish to report a scam can contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by phone at 1-888-495-8501 or online.