ARTICLES

March is Fraud Prevention Month in Canada and each week the MHPS Community Safety Unit will be sharing information on how to recognize and stop from falling victim to common frauds and scams. This week’s focus is on cybercrimes and online scams.

Cybercrime makes up a large component of all reported frauds and scams reported each year and can include any type of fraud/scam committed over the Internet. These can include; romance scams, online investments or marketplace scams, employment, loan, ticket sale or phishing scams.

With our reliance on Internet related technology, fraudsters have become very tech savvy and are able to obtain a lot of personal information which can lead to identity theft and misuse of your credit card and banking information.

Each year, especially around tax return time, the Medicine Hat Police Service will observe an increase in the number of complaints received from people reporting a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) scam.

In most cases, the caller will identify themselves as being from the CRA and accuse the person of owing money and will also make threats to have the person arrested and charged. The scammer will direct the person to purchase iTunes gift cards or other type of gift card to pay off their debt and instruct them to call back with the card codes. The cards will then be used by the scammer to sell on the black market.

Sometimes, the scam will vary slightly and the caller will identify themselves as a police officers and advise the victim that their Social Insurance Number (SIN) has been compromised, and request that the victim confirm their SIN over the phone.

To protect against these common frauds, it is important to remain vigilant and NEVER provide personal or financial information over the phone. Likewise, never comply with an unsolicited phone caller who demands payment in gift cards.

Always remember:

• The CRA will never call and threaten to have you arrested for not paying your taxes.
• The CRA will never ask for payment in the form of gift cards or prepaid credit cards.
• If you are contacted and told you owe money, always confirm with the CRA directly. Look up the phone number online and do not use the call back number that the caller has provided. Do not trust your call display. It may say Police or ABC but in reality it is a scammer.

If your workplace sells gift cards, you can help by being on the lookout for potential victims and inform them about this scam. Victims may seem stressed and agitated and purchasing a large amount of gift cards.

If you or someone you know is a victim of the CRA scam or any other fraud contact the Medicine Hat Police Service at 403-529-8481 to report.

Due to the extremely high volume of fraudulent call attempts, if you have received a fraudulent call but are not a victim (meaning you have not shared your personal information, bank information, and have not made any payment) then there is no need to report or contact police

For more information about these and other common frauds and scams visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca

Media Contact:

Sgt Darlene Garrecht
Medicine Hat Police Service
Community Safety Unit
Ph: 403-580-7043

March 2020 marks the 16^th anniversary of Fraud Prevention Month in Canada.  Fraud Prevention Month is a month-long crime prevention initiative aimed at educating and informing consumers and the community on how to recognize, report and stop fraud.

Thousands of Canadians of all ages and from all walks of life are defrauded each year. There is no typical fraud victim in Canada. With advancements in technology it is now easier for scammers to obtain money or property through fraudulent means and to remain “faceless” as they do so.

Consumers have a role to play in stopping fraud by arming themselves with the facts and reporting fraud when they encounter it.  Recognizing fraud is the first step to better protecting yourself. It is important for consumers to remain vigilant and aware of the many different types of fraud scams out there as they are ever changing and new trends are always emerging.

Throughout the month members of the Medicine Hat Police Service Community Safety Unit will be sharing information about common frauds, scams and tips for individuals and businesses to protect themselves.

·  March 3 - 10AM to 2 PM- Coop Mall on 13^th  Avenue – OPEN TO PUBLIC

·  March 4 - 1PM – Park Place Meadow Ridge Seniors Village

·  March 5 - 2 PM – Medicine Hat Retirement Villa

·  March 9 - 10 AM – The Wellington

·  March 19 – 11 AM – River Ridge

·  March 24 - 6:30 PM – General Fraud Prevention Information

o  MHPS Community Boardroom

o  Presenters: MHPS Community Safety Unit, MHPS Major Crimes Section, and the Better Business Bureau. 

o  This event is free and open to the general public to attend.

·  March 26 - 2PM – Revera Meadowlands Retirement Residence

·  April 15 – 11:30 AM – Cyber Security 101 for Business / Not For Profit

o  MHPS Community Boardroom

o  Presenters: MHPS Community Safety Unit and ATB

o  Event sponsored by APEX Alberta

o  To register:  https://cybersecuritybanking.eventbrite.com

To keep yourself in the loop about Fraud Prevention Month activities occurring provincially, follow the hashtag #FPM2020 and #fightfraud on social media or visit the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association website at www.albertacrimeprevention.com/fraud-prevention-month.

For more information about frauds and scams visit the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre at http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm.

Media Contact:

Sgt Darlene Garrecht
Medicine Hat Police Service
Community Safety Unit
Ph: 403-529-8451

A Redcliff resident has been charged with counterfeiting and property offences following an investigation completed by the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) Priority Street Crime Unit (PSCU). The investigation was initiated after a series of counterfeit bills were passed at various local businesses. Tips submitted by community members assisted investigators in identifying a suspect.

On February 28, 2020, the MHPS PSCU, together with the Redcliff RCMP, executed a search warrant at a residence located in the 500 block of Broadway Avenue East, Redcliff, AB. Several counterfeit American bills and other evidence of counterfeiting was located in the residence. In addition, investigators located several items of stolen property including credit cards and pieces of stolen personal identification.

Resulting from this investigation, a 24-year-old male, Austin Lane of Redcliff, AB is charged with; possession of counterfeit currency, making counterfeit money, possession of material for counterfeiting, possession of credit card data, possession of identification documents, and multiple counts of possession of stolen property.

Lane was held for a bail hearing and released on a $200 cash release order. He is due back in court on March 5, 2020.

Media Contact:
S/Sgt Cory Both
Priority Street Crimes Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-581-1056

On March 1, 2020 MHPS received a report from a partnering Law Enforcement Agency of a female being taken against her will and forced into a black Chevy Cruz car with Saskatchewan licence plates. The incident was witnessed in Saskatchewan resulting in the emergent call for service by Saskatchewan RCMP. The Chevy Cruz car was reportedly travelling in the direction of Medicine Hat and MHPS was subsequently notified. Members of MHPS patrols located the Chevy Cruz entering the City and officers attempted to stop the vehicle however the vehicle fled from the police. Given the nature of the call and the serious and imminent risk to the female held against her will, patrol members pursued the vehicle in attempt to stop it. After extensive efforts by MHPS patrols, support units within the MHPS and assistance from other Police Agencies, a 34 year old Regina male suspect was taken into custody for various criminal offences including flight from police, dangerous driving, disqualified driving, domestic violence and breach of probation. MHPS is pleased to report the female in the vehicle is fine and there was no injury to the suspect or police. The Service would like to thank members of the public for their assistance on this serious call for service.

The vehicle involved in the high risk incident ( Black 4-door Chevrolet Cruze) has been located and two persons are currently in MHPS custody. More information surrounding this incident will be released once members have finalized the investigation. The Police Service would like to thank the public for their assistance in this matter and appreciate the numbers calls and tips that were received.

The MHPS is requesting public assistance to locate a vehicle involved in a high risk offence.

The vehicle is a Black 4 –door 2019 Chevrolet Cruze with Saskatchewan license plate 633 LTG. If the vehicle is observed do not approach and call 9-1-1 immediately.  The vehicle was last seen in the Crescent Heights / Ranchlands area of Medicine Hat.

Further updates will be provided when more information is available

3rd Street is now open for traffic. We appreciate your patience.

On February 25, 2020, the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) Priority Street Crime Unit (PSCU) executed a search warrant at a residence located in the 500 block of 5 Street SE.

Resulting from this investigation, 33-year-old, Jason Higdon of Medicine Hat, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of; possession of stolen property, possession of identity documents, possession of credit card data, as well as possession of a controlled substance, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, possession of a prohibited weapon, breaches related to weapons prohibitions and previous release orders.

Higdon was held for a Judicial Interim Release Hearing and was remanded into custody.

The recovered identity documents and stolen property is being returned to the relevant owners.

The PSCU and MHPS Patrol Section will continue to monitor this residence to address concerns as they arise.

Members of the community who suspect drug, gang or property crime issues in their neighborhood can submit tips anonymously through the MHPS mobile app, which is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Media Contact:

SSgt Cory Both
Community Safety Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-581-1056

On the afternoon of February 25th the Medicine Hat Police responded to a call for service on Ross Haven Ave SE. Upon attending to the area, members encountered an individual who was experiencing a mental health crisis. Given the circumstances involved, including the history of the individual and their access to weapons, extreme caution and care was exercised. As a result the individual was apprehended safely, with no injury to themselves, the public or any member of the police service. No further comments or details will be provided at this time.

Traffic investigators have now cleared the scene on the Trans Canada Highway. Both lanes in the westbound and eastbound lanes are now open.