On Wednesday alone, there were two different reports made to the Cochrane RCMP about local people being scammed out of thousands of dollars on the phone or online. 

Mounties are now issuing a warning to locals and are providing tips on how to prevent being victimized. 

Cst. Bonnie Sauve said it comes down to trust when you're talking to people on the phone. 

"You need to verify the identity of the person on the other end of that phone call, and people that they're receiving emails from before they do anything financially." 

Officers believe it might be a similar group that is targeting local seniors. 

"They're posing as different people, they're posing as family members, they're quite convincing in their stories as to why they need money. We're just trying to remind people and educate the dangers of these phone calls and these scams." said Sauve. 

RCMP have come out with a list of prevention tips: 

  • Never send e-transfers to numbers, emails or people you do not recognize or verify to be true
  • Never provide passwords, PIN numbers, account numbers, over the phone, text or email
  • Never provide credit card numbers via text or email
  • Enroll in push notifications for mobile banking transactions
  • Protect your PIN and always create difficult-to-guess PIN numbers
  • Go paperless – sign up for online billing and financial statements to prevent criminals from stealing your identity or sensitive data from your mailbox
  • Collect your mail daily
  • Secure all your financial documents in a protected location
  • Protect yourself on social media – avoid tagging your location while on vacation as criminals will know you’re not home and do not accept friend requests from people you do not know
  • Never share your passwords and regularly change your passwords
  • Never open suspicious links in emails or texts
  • Report any fraud or suspicious activity to your bank, Canadian anti-fraud centre and your local police

RCMP are asking you to report any suspicious activity to 780-851-8000 or your local police. Or if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS),

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