West Kelowna and Westside consumers and businesses are encouraged to be scam smart and avoid the Grinches who use fraudulent tactics via the Internet, phone, text, social media, email, credit cards, and other means during the holidays and throughout the year.
Council thanked Kelowna Regional RCMP Detachment Inspector Rob Pikola and Regional District of Central Okanagan Crime Prevention Coordinator Roy Morgan for providing a presentation during the Nov. 28 Regular Meeting. Council noted the importance of reminding the community of the latest scams, which are ever evolving and getting harder to detect. Watch the full presentation via the Nov. 28 Council Meeting webcast archive.
Important anti-fraud catch phrases to remember are, “Buyer beware,” and, “You do not get something for nothing.”
Tips include:
Call and report scams or suspected fraud to West Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880 or to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre toll-free at 1-888-495-8501. For more information on preventing scams, visit canada.ca/bescamsmart.
Crime Prevention provides biweekly emails to the 77 Block Watch programs on the Westside to update them on the various scams making the rounds throughout the year. For more information on crime prevention services available in our community, to schedule a group presentation or to start a Block Watch in your neighbourhood, visit rdco.com/preventcrime.