Community Warning: Phone Scam Targeting Clinton Residents

The Village of Clinton is asking residents to be extremely cautious following several recent reports of a phone scam targeting members of our local community. In some cases, victims have lost large sums of money.

The scam is designed to create fear and urgency. The caller may claim to be a family member in trouble, a lawyer representing a family member, or someone connected with the justice system.

How the scam works

Scammers may tell you that a family member:

• Has been arrested and needs money for bail
• Requires immediate money for legal fees
• Has been injured and needs money for hospital or emergency expenses
• Will remain in jail unless money is sent immediately

The scammers can be extremely convincing.

They may know the names of family members or other personal information. They may use someone pretending to be a crying or distressed relative. Another person may come on the telephone claiming to be a lawyer and pressure you to send money immediately.

Victims may be told that a court has issued a “gag order” and that they are not allowed to speak to anyone about what has happened.

This is a major warning sign.

Scammers have asked victims to send large amounts of cash through Canada Post, use Bitcoin or cryptocurrency machines, or provide money through other unusual payment methods.

Remember these important facts

Police, courts and legitimate justice officials will not telephone you demanding money to release a family member from jail.

• Bail cannot be paid using Bitcoin or cryptocurrency.
• You will not be instructed to mail cash for bail.
• You will not be asked to purchase gift cards to pay bail, fines or legal expenses.
• Police or court-appointed couriers will not be sent to your home to collect bail money.
• A legitimate police officer, lawyer or court official will not tell you that you cannot speak with your family about a supposed emergency.

If you receive one of these calls

Do not send money.

Hang up.

Then contact the family member directly using a telephone number you already know. Do not use a telephone number provided by the caller.

If the caller claims to be a police officer, lawyer or other official, independently contact the police or organization involved.

Do not allow the caller to rush you. The pressure and urgency are part of the scam.

If possible, speak with another family member, friend or trusted person before sending money to anyone following an unexpected telephone call.

If you have already sent money

Contact the Clinton RCMP immediately at 250-459-2221 and contact your bank or financial institution as soon as possible.

Fraud can also be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

Please talk about this warning with your family, neighbours and friends, particularly anyone who may not regularly use social media or the internet.

If someone tells you there is an emergency but says you cannot talk to anyone about it, hang up and verify the story yourself.

Taking five minutes to check could prevent the loss of thousands of dollars.