In the last week, Rimbey RCMP responded to 51 calls for service.
These files include four suspicious persons or vehicles, three traffic collisions, one complaint of an abandoned vehicle, five theft under $5,000 investigations, two impaired driving-related files, two mischief complaints and one break and enter.
As the weather continues to warm up, RCMP would like to remind everyone to be watching the roads for motorcycles.
When making right or left turns onto a highway or when behind a large slow-moving vehicle and looking for an opening to pass. It can be hard to spot a small car let alone a motorcycle especially if they have entered your blind spot before making a turn onto a highway.
If you come to a complete stop at each intersection, you will be at the intersection long enough as to not fail to see a motorbike or other smaller vehicle that may have entered your blind spot.
RCMP are also reminding motorists to be careful while driving in residential or playground areas as there will be children playing.
Rimbey RCMP has received reports of speeding in residential areas of town. This is dangerous especially as school lets out. Even though parents teach their children to look both ways before crossing, kids will often fail to do so as they are intent or excited about their destination.
Recent scams and fraud (according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre)
Buying and selling online: Scammers trying to sell or purchase items can be on any site that allows the action of buying and selling.
Specific items that are frequently advertised to purchase and used to scam people are event tickets, puppies or kittens, electronic equipment, clothing, apartment, cottage, vacation rentals, and motor vehicles.
These items are generally lower priced to attract potential buyers.
After potential buyer messages the seller expressing interest the seller will often ask for several payments. The buyer will be advised that this is to cover shipping, vaccinations, certificates, and insurance, and the buyer will never receive the product you have paid for.
Cell phone service provider scams: There have been reports of scammers posing as your cellphone provider, internet or landline service provider. They will try to steal your personal information.
Charity and donations: There have been reports of scammers using the situation in Ukraine and posing as a charity raising funds for Ukraine.
Make sure any charity you give to is registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) by asking the solicitor for the charity’s registered charitable number and calling the CRA at 1 (800) 267-2384.
COVID-19 fraud: There is a large list of fraud being done using COVID-19 such as counterfeit vaccine passports, COVID-19 virus or vaccine-themed emails that trick you into installing and or opening malicious websites, companies offering to sell COVID-19 tests and more. Do not open any links or download apps off of an email that has to do with COVID-19 unless you were expecting something (for example results of testing from AHS.)
For more information or if you have any suspicions about a person, email or organization, do not hesitate to look up www.antifraudcentre.ca as they have more tips on how to spot a scam or fraud.
If you have information on any crime, contact your local RCMP Detachment at 403-843-2224 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers can also be contacted online at www.P3tips.com, or you can download the P3 Tips app for Android or Apple on your smart phone. You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers. If you provide information to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash award.