RCMP in Spruce Grove are warning the residents of that community and others – after officers received a number of complaints of people going door-to-door claiming to take donations for reputable charities – who don’t receive any money.
Police said they’ve heard reports of suspects, who they said often work in pairs, who go to a series of residences in a given area claiming to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society by selling Tim Horton’s or other gift cards as part of fundraising efforts.
Those gift cards are later found to be empty.
The suspects have been reported to be wearing Tim Horton’s jackets at times, and appear to be well dressed and sincere.
The suspects accept cash, but they also have a hand-held point of sale machine for debit and credit cards – victims who use debit or credit for those transactions are even given a receipt for the amount paid.
However, the victim’s banking information and PIN number are also entered into the handheld skimming device – giving the suspect’s access to their account information.
It’s believed the same individuals might be responsible for a similar scam reported in B.C. in October.
RCMP are reminding residents to be vigilant in protecting their private information, and to be cautious when dealing with people or agencies they might not be familiar with.
Anyone with information on the identity of the suspects in these frauds, who may have encountered or photographed them, are asked to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
