Posted:
(11:07 a.m.)
Halifax Regional Police is issuing a warning about fraudsters contacting citizens and presenting themselves as police officers asking for donations.
Over the last week, Halifax Regional Police has received complaints from citizens about phone calls from an individual claiming to be with the “Halifax Police Service” or “Halifax Regional Police Service” looking for donations as part of a “Golden Shield” campaign. The caller explains that the campaign is focusing on youth suicide prevention and adding more officers in local schools. These calls are fraudulent in nature and did not come from Halifax Regional Police.
This type of scam, which involves a caller attempting to elicit financial and/or personal information, is referred to as vishing. Vishing scam artists want this information so they can gain access to your credit cards and/or bank accounts. Please note the following:
- The non-emergency reporting line, (902) 490-5016, will never appear on your call display. Calls from Halifax Regional Police will show up as a blocked number.
- Halifax Regional Police is not conducting a donation campaign and will never ask for your credit card information over the phone.
- If you do not believe that the person you are talking to is a police officer, hang up and call 490-5016.
- Never give your credit card or personal information over the phone.
Anyone who has been a victim of such a scam is encouraged to report it to the HRP/RCMP Integrated Financial Crime Unit at 490-1985 or online at https://www.halifax.ca/fire-police/police/reporting-crime.