ARTICLES

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) continues to receive numerous reports from community members who have fallen victim to phone scams. Fraudsters will often represent themselves as police officers or as employees of Revenue Canada and the calls can either be a real voice or a recording prompting you to press a number to connect with an agent. Notable recent scams include;

The scammer will pose as a police officer who claims the victim’s SIN has been compromised and used in fraudulent activity. The individual called is asked to confirm their SIN and other personal information. The scammer then tells the victim that they owe money and must pay in Bitcoin or else the officer will arrest the victim. Victims are instructed to withdraw money from their bank account and deposit into a local bitcoin machine or requested to purchase google play cards, scratch the code on the back and provide that to the scammer.

The MHPS reminds citizens to always be wary of phone calls from anyone claiming you are under investigation, or that your personal information has been compromised, that there is a warrant for your arrest or that you owe money for some other purpose, especially from callers who are aggressive in demanding money.

As a reminder, no police agency or Revenue Canada employee will ever demand you pay money through bitcoin, Google Play cards or request that you send cash money in the mail.

Bank Investigator Scam

Common with this fraud is a scammer will call to ask for help to catch a bank employee who has been stealing money. To help, the person needs to go to their bank and make a cash withdrawal from their account.

The scammer tells the person not to let the bank teller know what you're doing because the teller might be involved.

After the withdrawal, the scammer meets the individual in a nearby parking lot, where the cash is exchanged.

The MHPS reminds citizens that banks will never have a customer withdraw money from their account to try and help catch a bank employee.

Immigration extortion

With this scam, the scammer calls and claims to be with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (formerly Citizenship and Immigration Canada). They tell the person that they've failed to complete or register certain immigration documents. They insist that the individual needs to pay fees immediately or risk:

• deportation
• loss of passport
• loss of citizenship

Taxpayer or Canada Revenue Agency

This common scam involves a scammer who claims to be an employee of either the Canada Revenue Agency or Service Canada. They state that the person:

• owe back taxes
• have unpaid balances; or
• has committed a financial crime

They insist that if the money is not paid immediately, the person will be arrested, fined or even deported.

The scammers sometimes request payment via money service businesses, pre‐paid cards/gift cards (iTunes, Google Play or Steam cards) or Bitcoin.

How to protect yourself

Don’t be the victim of a scam. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. These scams can result in:

• identity theft
• fraud
• loss of cash monies
• theft from your bank account or credit card and
• computer viruses

Remember:

• Canada Revenue Services or Bank employees will never:
• Telephone you to collect money or payments
• ask you to deposit money into a personal bank account
• ask you to transfer money through private money transfer service such as Bitcoin, ITune cards or Google Play Cards
• threaten you
• offer special deals to people who want to immigrate or

Don't be a victim of phone fraud

These tips will help keep you from getting victimized by telemarketing​ scammers:

• Don't believe everyone who calls with an exciting promotion or investment opportunity.
• Don't disclose personal information about yourself, your bank accounts, credit cards or address over the telephone.
• Don't be afraid to hang up.
• Don't be afraid to ask for documentation to verify a product or investment. But remember, even the unscrupulous have professionally prepared literature, catalogues and invoices.
• Don't be pressured into making a decision. Any legitimate gift or prize will still be available tomorrow.
• Do take the time to call a friend, relative, banker or a police agency before making a decision to send money.
• Do take the opportunity to ask the caller questions about their offer or promotion. No legitimate company will refuse your inquiries.
• Do ask for literature so you can read about the company before making a commitment.
• Do ask the company for references from other customers who live in your area.

If you receive a call and are unsure of its legitimacy please call the MHPS at 403 529-8457 to speak with an officer.  If you have received a fraudulent call but are not a victim, there is no need to call police but you may report to the Anti Fraud Centre here

Basic Requirements for Volunteers

• Minimum of 18 years of age
• Canadian Citizen or a Canadian Permanent Resident
• Have no record of criminal convictions for which a pardon has not been granted, or any outstanding criminal or internal investigations prior to volunteering with MHPS
• Provide at least three (3) reference checks
• Have a valid Class 5 Driver’s License
• Maintain confidentiality at all times
• Willing to offer non-judgmental peer support
• Practice empathic and active listening skills

Required Commitment & Availability:

• Volunteers are required to complete mandatory training including online courses, team training and mentoring with senior volunteers.
• Must report for all scheduled shifts, including three (3) Call-Out Shifts per month (12 hrs/shift) that will include days and/or evenings and weekend shifts
• Provide two (2) hrs/week in station office support at the MHPS
• Participate in ongoing training and team meetings.

MHPS Privacy Statement

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) is committed to providing a website that respects your privacy. This statement summarizes the privacy policy and practices on the mhps.ca website and all associated systems, processes and applications (including the mobile app) under the direct control of the MHPS. MHPS is a public body subject to Alberta’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (​FOIPP) Act.

Privacy​​ Overview

MHPS does not automatically gather any personal information from you. This information is only obtained if you supply it voluntarily through contacting MHPS via email or online forms or by setting up a user account. 

When you visit mhps.ca (or use the mobile app), the MHPS web server automatically collects a limited amount of standard information essential to the operation and evaluation of the MHPS website. This information includes:

• the page from which you arrived,
• the date and time of your page request,
• the Internet Protocol (IP) address your computer is using to receive information,
• the type and version of your browser, and
• the name and size of the file you requested.

This information is not used to identify individuals who come to the MHPS website or mobile app. This information is only used to help MHPS assess its information services and is collected in compliance with Section 33(c) of Alberta’s FOIPP, which permits the collection of information that relates directly to and is necessary for an operating program or activity of the public body.

Information Collected ​through Form Submissions or Service Requests

The personal information you submit through MHPS feedback forms/mediums – including email address and contact information – is collected by MHPS staff solely for the purpose of responding to your information or service request.

​This information is not disclosed except to authorized personnel (MHPS staff or contractors) for the purpose of addressing your feedback. Any personal information you submit to the MHPS website is secured once it reaches MHPS servers. However, MHPS cannot guarantee the security of your information before it reaches MHPS servers.

Mobile Application Permissions

Permission to device information/functionality (location data, notifications, telephone, calendar, and storage) is explicitly requested by the application and must be granted by the end user.  The granted permissions are used in relation to app functionality and not collected for other purposes.

Cookies

Cookies are temporary files that may be placed on your hard drive while you visit a website. Cookies are used to track how visitors use mhps.ca and the mobile application, but MHPS does not store personal information through cookies, nor does MHPS collect personal information from you without your knowledge as you browse the website or use the mobile application. Any cookies on mhps.ca or the mobile application are used to aid in the collection of anonymous statistical information such as:

• browser type
• screen size,
• traffic patterns,
• pages visited.

This information helps MHPS improve both mhps.ca (mobile app included) and its service to citizens. It is not disclosed to any third parties. However, if you are concerned about cookies, you can adjust your web browser to reject all cookies. All site features with the exception of the interac​tive map should function normally if cookies are disabled.

Security and​ IP addre​sses

Your computer uses a unique IP address when browsing the Internet. MHPS may collect IP addresses to monitor any security breaches on mhps.ca and other online services (mobile app etc.). No attempt is made to identify users or their usage patterns unless unauthorized use of the MHPS website is detected or is required for a law enforcement investigation. IP addresses are stored for a term that complies with the MHPS existing auditing requirements.

Privacy and E​xternal Links

The mhps.ca website, and mobile app, contains links to external sites that are not associated with MHPS. MHPS is not responsible for the content and the privacy practices of these other websites and MHPS encourages you to examine each site's privacy policy and disclaimers before providing any personal information.

More Information

If you do not feel comfortable providing feedback via our website (mobile application included), or to request more information, please contact MHPS.

​For general inquiries regarding MHPS online feedback mediums and the associated privacy statement, contact:

MHPS Information Technology Department

Email: support@mhps.ca
Phone: 403-529-8400

Concerns regarding access to information or privacy issues under FOIP should be directed to:​

Information Coordinator

Medicine Hat Police Service
884 - 2 Street S.E.
Medicine Hat, AB
T1A 8H2

Phone: 403-529-8400

This is not monitored 24/7.

If you require an immediate police presence call 911. Do NOT use this for emergencies.

Drug Tip

Municipal Bylaw Tip

Crime Tip

Traffic Tip

Concerns and tips cannot be reported annoymously and must have contact information included.

This page may not be monitored 24/7.

THIS IS THE TEST SITE

Why report my incident online?

Online reporting is a convenient reporting option that can provide you with a copy of the police report and a police file number.  Your incident is eligible for reporting online if:

• The incident occurred within the city of Medicine Hat
  The loss or damage reported is under $5,000; and
  
• There are no known suspects

What if the incident did not occur within the city of Medicine Hat?

If the incident did not occur within the city of Medicine Hat then you should report the incident to the local police agency for the jurisdiction where it occurred.

What is a known suspect?

A known suspect is when you or someone else knows the person or knows where to find the person who committed the crime. Examples include; knowing the person’s name or the license plate number of the vehicle the suspect was in. If you have a known suspect involved in your incident, please call 403-529-8481 to file your report.

What if I have a suspect description?

A "suspect description" or CCTV footage, is not considered a "known suspect". A suspect description can be included in the incident description when entering an online report, assuming the incident fulfills the other online reporting criteria.

What happens if I find something left behind by the suspect?

Items that are left behind by the suspect may help to identify him/her. If there is evidence, do not file a report online. Call 403-529-8481 to report this incident.

What if I require a police file number for insurance purposes?

You will receive an unofficial copy of your report as well as a temporary file number when you submit your online report. Your report will be reviewed by a police officer within 24 hours. Once it is confirmed that your online report meets the online report criteria, an official report and Medicine Hat Police Service file number will be emailed to you. Only the official file number can be used for insurance purposes.

What do I do if my incident does not qualify for online reporting?

Some incidents require more information to be gathered including having an officer to be dispatched to the crime scene to conduct an investigation or others require interaction with an officer over the phone or at a police station. These incidents cannot be reported via online reporting.  If your incident does not meet the criteria for online reporting please call 403-529-8481 to speak to an officer.

Why can't I report a motor vehicle collision online?

Due to the complexity of data that needs to be gathered and the need to verify collision details, most vehicle collisions require the attention of an officer or a Collision Reporting Center agent. Please call 403-529-8481 to speak to an officer.

What happens to my report after I have submitted it?

Your report will be reviewed by a police officer within 24 hours. You may be contacted for additional information and you will receive an email explaining the status of your report. Once approved, your report will be transferred to the Medicine Hat Police Service Records Management System to undergo standard investigative and analytical processes. Your report will be retained as per the Medicine Hat Police Service retention policy.

What do you do with my personal information?

The personal information in this online report will be collected, used and disclosed for the purposes outlined in Sections 33 to 43 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPP) Act and other legal requirements where they are consistent with the FOIPP Act. If you have any questions regarding the collection of information, contact the Medicine Hat Police Service, Information Coordinator, 884 2 ST SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8H2.

Please note that some or all of the following are applicable only if you are the victim and the accused person(s) is charged with a crime.  Please contact the Victim Assistance Unit office for more details at 403-529-8480. 

Interim Victims of Crime Assistance Program:

Help for Victims of Crime: Overview

Victims of crime can get a monetary benefit to acknowledge victimization, based on serious injuries directly suffered from a crime. This includes a Serious Injury Benefit for victims who are seriously injured as a direct result of crime who require assistance to perform daily functions and a death benefit reimbursement for funeral costs of victims who died as a result of violent crime.

Serious Injury Benefit Application Form
Death Benefit Application Form

Victims of crime can also apply for financial assistance to help with emergency safety and security expenses, court attendance expenses, as well as access to psychological supports for injuries suffered from the crime and must be received within 45 days of the incident.

• Emergency Crime Victim Assistance  - financial assistance following a violent crime to assist with safety and security-related losses and damages
• Court Attendance Expense Reimbursement - for expenses related to court attendance for specified events, such as sentencing or providing a victim impact statement.
• Counselling - Immediate access to short-term supports to assist in dealing with the psychological impacts related to specified Criminal Code offences.

Emergency Crime Victim Assistance Application

Court Attendance Expense Reimbursement Application

Counselling Program Application

Victim Impact Statement

Victims of crime are entitled to submit a Victim Impact Statement.  It is an opportunity to communicate to the court how this crime has affected their life and to describe any physical or emotional impact that has been experienced as a result.  If you plan to complete a Victim Impact Statement you must notify the Victim Assistance Unit office as soon as possible. 

Victim Impact Statement

Victim Impact Statement Brochure

Restitution Recovery Program

If you have lost money, property, or had extra expenses as a result of this crime you may apply for restitution.  It is important to return the Request for Restitution to police quickly so that the court may consider it if the accused person is found guilty and convicted.

Restitution Statement

Restitution Brochure

Community Impact Statement

A community impact statement is a chance to let the judge know how your community has been hurt because of a crime and can be submitted on behalf of a community by one community representative.

Community Impact Statement Brochure

Community Impact Statement