Know the Law: Scams, Cyberbullying, Exploitation, and How to Seek Help

The senior population has been a target for advanced scams also known as emergency scams or the grandparent scam. These scams involve fraudsters calling and pretending to be a family member – usually a grandchild- claiming they are in some sort of trouble and need money immediately. Lethbridge Police Service would like to remind residences of these key points when they receive a scam call: 

• •  Always verify the caller’s identity and the legitimacy of their story. Call the grandchild directly and if they can’t be reached, contact their parents, siblings or another relative who can help verify the story.
  • If a caller claims to be a police officer, lawyer, judge or other official call the police station or courthouse directly to confirm their identity and the legitimacy of the call. 
  • Do not use any phone numbers or other contact details provided by the caller to try and verify information.   
  • Do not provide money, gift cards, bitcoin or any other form of payment to someone you do not know.
  • Bail is always paid in person at the police station, courthouse or correctional center and receipt of payment is provided. Police and court officials will never attend someone’s home to pick-up cash.
  • Never disclose any personal information over the phone to someone you don’t know.

Visit the Lethbridge Police website to learn more.

Anyone who has been victimized in a grandparent scam and not yet reported it, is asked to call police at 403-328-4444.

If it seems too good to be true...it is.

Stress about the economy, finding employment and making ends meet creates easy targets for fraudsters who promise high returns with little to no risk.

Some examples of investment scams include investment fraud through social media, Ponzi or pyramid schemes, cryptocurrency schemes, real estate scams, offshore investing schemes, etc.

Recognize

Some red flags to help you detect an investment scam:

• You are promised high returns with little or no risk
• You get a “hot tip” or insider information
• You feel pressured to invest quickly
• The seller is not registered to sell investment

Reject

1. Be skeptical. Verify before your trust!
   • Be suspicious of any unsolicited investment offers, especially if they require payment in Bitcoin or other digital assets
   • Watch for cloned or spoofed websites that may look very convincing
   • Verify information by using official websites and phone numbers - DO NOT use the contact information provided by the potential scammer
2. Slow down and do your research!
   • Fraudsters try to rush you. Take your time to make an informed decision, request information in writing and seek second opinions from credible sources before responding
3. Only invest with regulated organizations and financial advisors
   • Securities law requires that all investment industry professionals and firms be registered
   • To check the registration of any firm you are interested in, visit the Alberta Securities Commission’s Checkfirst website and/or the Canadian Securities Administrators website.
   • To see if a person or company has been flagged as a risk to investors, visit the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization.

Report

• If you have NOT suffered a loss, report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
• If you have suffered a loss, report to the Lethbridge Police Service and your financial institution

Visit the Lethbridge Police website to learn more.

Anyone who has been victimized in a grandparent scam and not yet reported it, is asked to call police at 403-328-4444.

More Resources:

• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
• Competition Bureau of Canada - Investment Scams website
• Lethbridge Police - Frauds and Scams website

Love or Lies? Recognizing Romance Scams

A romance scam is a confidence scheme where a criminal gains a victim’s trust and affection to carry on an online relationship, usually though fake social media profiles and dating sites. Eventually, they will create a reason for money to be sent or invested.

Recognize

Some red flags to help you detect a romance scam:

• They quickly profess their love for you
• They lure you off a dating site to private modes of communication
• They always have an excuse not to meet in person
• Claims to live close by but is working overseas
• Discourages you from mentioning them to anyone
• Play on your emotions and creates an urgent reason they need money to be sent
• Offers to “coach” you on crypto investing or other quick investment opportunities
• Asks you to receive money for them (by doing so you might unknowingly be committing a crime)

Reject

Remember, it’s ok to say “NO” and disengage from further contact.

To protect yourself:

• Don’t give out your personal information (name, address, DOB, SIN, banking credentials)
• Don’t accept friend requests from people you do not know
• Don’t invest your money in platforms provided by people you don’t know
• Never send money to someone you haven’t met
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on your accounts
• Beware of fraudsters asking you to open and fund new crypto accounts, they will direct you to send it to wallets they control (DON’T!)

Report

While people who have fallen victim to a romance scam often feel embarrassed and do not wish to come forward, it’s very important to report when a romance scam has been encountered. Even if nothing can be done immediately, you may help someone in the future from being victimized.

• If you have NOT suffered a loss, report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
• If you have suffered a loss, report to the Lethbridge Police Service and your financial institution

More Resources:

• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
• Frauds and Scams webpage - Lethbridge Police

Protect yourself from "Smishing" / Text Message Scams: 

• Never respond to unsolicited text messages
• Delete the text immediately
• Never click any links in the text message
• Never send money to a third party you do not know
• Verify information with a valid and trusted source.
  • For instance, attend a local registry to confirm if you have any unpaid fines. Contact the City of Lethbridge to ask about parking tickets. 

Criminal Harassment includes numerous behaviours with the intent to control and frighten the victim. It can cause fear, depression, alienation, isolation, loss of confidence, confusion, powerlessness and hopelessness.

Knowingly publishing, distributing, transmitting, selling, making available or advertising an intimate image of a person without consent, or being reckless as to whether that person gave their consent may be charged with Publication of Intimate Image Without Consent.
More Resources:

• Cybertip 
• Need Help Now!
• ALERT (Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team)
• Candian Centre for Child Protection
• Thorn for Parents 

If an individual verbally threatens someone they could be charged with Uttering Threats. Compelling someone to do something they had the right to lawfully do, or to do anything unlawful could result in an Intimidation charge. 

If an individual counsels, encourages or aids a person to commit suicide, whether the suicide attempt was successful they could be charged with Counselling Suicide (actively encouraging someone to engage in self-harm and/or suicide). 

Acts of hate, defamation, impersonation, blackmail, the unauthorized use of a computer, and knowingly sending false messages with intent to harm are also covered under the criminal code and subject to prosecution.