Dawson Creek warns of scammers impersonating city staff

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. —  With tax season underway, the City of Dawson Creek is warning residents it will never request gift cards as payment for anything.

According to a social media post from the city, staff members have received reports of scammers using its phone number to “request payments through gift cards.”

They add that it’s possible these scammers could become more active as tax season continues.

“City staff will never ask for payment via gift cards,” the post reads. “If you’re unsure about a call, hang up and dial 311, then press #0 to speak with a City Hall staff member.”

Residents who believe they’ve received scam emails, meanwhile, are urged to check the email address and to contact the city’s communications department for confirmation of a message’s legitimacy.

This comes after an array of other scams across the Peace region were reported in March. That month saw fraudsters impersonating members of the Fort St. John Professional Firefighters’ Association, staff members with the District of Hudson’s Hope, City of Fort St. John staffers and Northern Health workers.

Residents looking to pay their property taxes to the city can find everything they will need on its website. The deadline is July 2nd.