RCMP/KBRH warn public about active phone scam
By Trail Champion
On Sept. 19, the Trail and Greater District Detachment RCMP received a complaint from the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH) Health Foundation about an ongoing telephone fraud occurring in the Trail and Greater Area.
The below message was issued by KBRH Health Foundation after reporting this incident to the RCMP:
“The KBRH Health Foundation has received information about a probable phone scam involving callers falsely identifying themselves as fundraisers for the Trail Hospital. Details from the calls include a request to support the Trail Hospital by purchasing activity books for children. The caller then requests contact details to send an invoice for payment.
“The Foundation does not have any current campaigns that include fundraising through children’s book sales. All of the Foundation’s current fundraising campaigns are available on our website. The KBRH Health Foundation does not use external phone solicitation methods to fundraise for our campaigns and programs. All of the Foundation’s public appeals are provided by direct mail and any follow up phone calls are made by staff or board members who clearly identify themselves as representatives of the Foundation.
“The RCMP and KBRH Administration have been notified of this phone scam and will be taking action to further inform the public as required.”
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this information, please contact:
Jennifer Kirk, Development Support Coordinator for the KBRH Health Foundation
Jennifer.kirk@interiorhealth.ca
Office: 250.364.6241
Cell: 778.965.0024
If you have experienced a call of this nature, please contact the RCMP directly at:
Sergeant Mike Wicentowich
RCMP Detachment: 250-364-2566
Alternatively, members of the public can contact the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 (toll free) or through their website http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm. The Anti-Fraud Centre website can provide you with information and advice on various frauds and ways to protect yourself from them.
