RCMP warn public about spoofing calls asking for personal information

November 9, 2026 - Sunshine Coast, British Columbia
From: Sunshine Coast RCMP

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The Sunshine Coast RCMP is advising residents to be cautious after recent reports from other Lower Mainland detachments of scammers spoofing the detachment's phone number and posing as police officers to obtain personal and banking information.

The callers are requesting personal information while making it appear as though the call is coming from an RCMP detachment. 

"Scammers can make it look like they are calling from a legitimate phone number, including a police detachment," said Sergeant Don Newman. "If you receive a call claiming to be from police, and are unsure if it is legitimate, hang up and call the detachment directly using a publicly listed phone number to verify the call, or you can attend the local detachment during regular business hours to speak directly to an employee."

Residents are reminded not to provide personal, financial, or banking information over the phone unless they are certain they know who they are speaking with.

Phone and online frauds are becoming increasingly complex and harder to detect as fake. Here are some tips to help keep you safe from fraud:

• If you feel something is suspicious, hang up the phone and research the call back number for the company or organization yourself, then call that number. Never use the redial function on your phone.
• Before sending information or money, ask a close friend or family member if they think the call could be legitimate. 
• Be wary of calls, text messages or emails that put pressure on you to make a quick decision. Fraudsters will often put pressure in the form of a time limit on you to force you into making a snap decision. 
• Do an internet search to see if anyone online is talking about a similar call or type of communication. That might help you to decide if this is fraudulent or legitimate.

Anyone who believes they may have been targeted by this scam is encouraged to report it to their local police.

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