Warning over scammers impersonating RCMP officers

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — RCMP officers in Fort St. John are preemptively warning residents of a text message scam impacting other communities in B.C.

According to a press release from the Kelowna detachment, residents of that community have received text messages from people impersonating RCMP officers.

The messages claim the RCMP cannot deliver court documents and urge the recipient to click a link to reschedule a court date. 

They include the RCMP logo, a Canadian flag and a Canada logo in an effort to look more legitimate.

“The RCMP will never ask for personal information through a text message or email,” says Kelowna RCMP media relations officer Laura Pollock. 

“Scammers have gone to great lengths to create this message that looks like a legitimate notification, but don’t be fooled and delete the message immediately.”

Fort St. John RCMP Constable Chad Neustater says he’s currently unaware of any reports of these text messages being sent to Fort St. John residents.

The detachment shared the Kelowna press release to “pre-emptively share this information” so residents can be “aware and informed” in case these messages begin appearing locally.

However, he adds that they have been reported in other communities outside of Kelowna, including Nanaimo and Kamloops.

Anyone who believes they have been the victim of a scam is urged to contact the RCMP at 250-787-8100 or report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.