Frauds impersonating the RCMP
Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between a fraudulent communication and a real one. The RCMP will never send you an unsolicited text or email threatening you or asking for a payment. Below are a few examples of frauds impersonating the RCMP to look out for, steps to take if you encounter these messages, and what to do if you have fallen victim.
Delivery notice by text message
An unsolicited RCMP "delivery notice" is sent to you by text message. The message tells you that the RCMP couldn't deliver court documents to you and asks you to reschedule to avoid missing a court date. These messages contain a link to an unofficial and fraudulent RCMP website to "reschedule the delivery".
This is a fraud! The RCMP does not issue notices by text message, and the official RCMP home page is: rcmp.ca.
If you receive a message like this, do not click the links - delete the text immediately. If you clicked on a link or provided personal details through the fraudulent website, contact your financial institution immediately and report it to your local police service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Fake law enforcement extortion email
A fraudulent email asks you to download an attachment to view a fake letter. After opening the attachment, the letter contains the RCMP logo, names of high-ranking officials and claims that you are accused of serious criminal charges. It will also include a fake RCMP email address to respond to. If you respond to this email, they will ask you to send a payment to avoid going to jail.
This is a fraud!
If you receive a message like this, do not click the links - delete the email immediately. The official RCMP home page is: rcmp.ca. If you clicked on a link or provided personal details through the fraudulent website, contact your financial institution immediately and report it to your local police service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Emergency-grandparent fraud
Fraudulent calls claiming that a family member or loved one is in serious trouble and needs immediate help. They may pretend to be the loved one, a lawyer, a police officer or an RCMP member, and say that money is urgently needed for bail, legal fees or another emergency. Victims may be pressured to act quickly, keep the situation secret, or withdraw cash that is later collected by a courier.
Note: Fraudsters can alter or spoof caller ID numbers and information, so a call appears to come from a police service, RCMP detachment or other trusted organization. An official-looking name or phone number does not mean that the caller is legitimate.
Warning signs and how to protect yourself
- The RCMP will never threaten you by text or email and will never demand a payment
- Don't click on links or download attachments in unsolicited text messages or emails
- Never send your personal, credit card or banking details in response to unsolicited messages, and do not enter those details on any website if you are not certain the site is genuine
- Always take a moment to verify the source of messages received
- The RCMP will never ask:
- to transfer money
- for remote access to your computer
- for personal information, including your name, date of birth, phone number, email, address or banking details through text or email
- Watch for spelling mistakes in unsolicited messages as this is often a tell-tale sign of fraud
- Do not download attachments as these can contain viruses or malware that may infect your device
- If you want to check to be sure, contact to your local RCMP detachment directly to verify the legitimacy
- Learn more tips and tricks for protecting yourself
If you suspect that you have been the victim of fraud, you should report it to your local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Example of legitimate communications from the RCMP
The RCMP Canadian Firearms Program may contact firearms licence holders, for example, about new services, changes to the firearms regulatory regime, or licence applications or missing information needed to process an application, including payment information. These communications will not threaten you, demand immediate payment, or ask for banking information by text or email. If you are unsure whether a message is legitimate, do not click on any links, open an attachment or reply to the message. Log in to your MyCFP or Individual Web Services account to verify whether a secure message has been issued or call the Canadian Firearms Program contact centre directly.
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