Scammers ‘impersonating Peavey Mart online’

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — Police officers are warning about an online scam involving a major Canadian retailer which is now in the process of going out of business but started in Dawson Creek.

According to a press release from the RCMP, the scam reportedly involves Peavey Mart, a hardware store chain that began with a location in Dawson Creek in 1967.

The company announced plans to close all 90 of its locations and six MainStreet Hardware storefronts last month.

Police officers say scammers have created fake websites and social media accounts for Peavey Mart that appear official, claiming to offer enormous discounts and free shipping on all orders.

Peavey Mart does not offer online shopping on its official website – according to the retailer, all sales are in-store only.

Police officers are urging members of the public to avoid clicking links in text messages from unknown numbers and to be wary of clicking on suspicious ads on social media.

When in doubt, they say you can call a nearby retail location for a business to verify whether a suspicious-looking link or ad is legitimate.

Suspicious ads can be reported on social media, and anyone who believes they have been a victim of a scam can contact their local police department or report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.