Skip to content

Seniors beware campaign comes to Rimbey Drop-in

Constable Tyler Hagel from Rimbey RCMP addressed a large group of seniors at the Drop-In Centre Wednesday
73339rimbeySeniorsCampaign041514
Donna E. Heilemann from Victim Services and Doreen Glanfield

Constable Tyler Hagel from Rimbey RCMP addressed a large group of seniors at the Drop-In Centre Wednesday about fraud, scams and other dishonest schemes designed to steal money.

“You are an easy target,” he said. “You slow down a little and you are home more. People take advantage of that.”

He noted one scam that is presently ongoing is telephone callers who are identifying themselves as being from Revenue Canada and wanting personal information.

“Revenue Canada will never, ever ask for a credit card,” he said. “If you hear that, alarm bells should go off.”

Hagel stressed that anyone who receives a phone call that causes them to question the identity of the person should say, “I will call you back.”

The person who received the call should then hang up and check out the source using a phone book to obtain the number.

“If it is someone from the bank so and see the branch manager. Check it out.’

Hagel also said anyone who is communicating with someone on line should be cautious if that person wants them to send money.

“Red flags should go out if you hear that,” he said.

He said to be especially aware if that person wants money sent via Western Union.

“A whole set of alarm bells should go off at that point. Western Union doesn’t track anything. When that money is sent it’s gone.”

The presentation by Constable Hagel was part of National Victims of Crime Awareness Week. Funding for the program comes through Justice Canada.