Phone scammers using Kelowna RCMP number to steal your information

Kelowna RCMP are warning people to be aware of scam in which the fraudsters spoof the detachment's phone number.

On Sept. 20, a Kelowna resident was contacted by a number that matched the RCMP non-emergency line, 250-250-0311.

The caller told the Kelowna resident that police had a warrant for their arrest. They then requested personal information to corroborate their resident’s identity. This information included their full name, date of birth, address, driver’s license number and some banking information.

The resident was rightfully suspicious and determined the call to be a scam. They hung up the phone, only to be bombarded by numerous calls back and white noise voicemails from the same telephone number.

The calls were left unanswered and the person reported the matter to Kelowna RCMP.

“The scammers are clearly using some sort of caller ID spoofing technology to impersonate the police," Kelowna RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Michael Gauthier said in the release. "In some cases, an officer could in fact call someone to say they have a warrant but would never ask for this type of corroborating information, especially banking info."

"Fortunately, this person realized something was suspicious, ceased communications immediately and phoned the real police.”

RCMP are asking for anyone who may have been victim to a scam attempt to contact Equifax at 1-800-525-6285, Trans Union  at1-800-888-4213 and report the matter to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Georgina Whitehouse or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

Georgina Whitehouse

Storytelling illuminates the world. Georgie is a British reporter, currently living in the
Okanagan. After studying for one year at UBCO, Georgie graduated from the University of
Exeter with a first-class honour’s degree in English with Study in North America. For her, the
Okanagan is an area brimming with possibility and filled with a diverse and lively community.
Through her writing she hopes to shine a light on the people who live here and give voice to
those who’s stories might have been unheard. Culture, art, and community fuel her
interests, as she works to uncover what makes the Okanagan so special.