Impersonation scams being reported to PEI RCMP

August 20, 2026 - PEI RCMP Headquarters, Prince Edward Island
From: Prince Edward Island RCMP

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PEI RCMP continue to receive reports of text and phone scams where callers are pretending to be children or relatives urgently needing money. 

RCMP have received several complaints from people who have received text messages or phone calls from individuals claiming to be family members. The scammers say they are your children or other relatives and they urgently need for money. These fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated. The individual may claim to be using a friend’s phone or are often able to manipulate caller ID information or use information gathered from social media to make their scam messages appear legitimate.

Islanders have been asked for thousands of dollars to be sent making these scams a potentially serious financial threat. RCMP encourage the public to take the following precautions:

• Always verify requests for money by contacting the person directly using a known and trusted phone number. 
• Be cautious of urgent requests involving money, especially when accompanied by pressure or secrecy. 
• Never rely solely on text messages or caller ID information as proof of identity. 
• Speak with another trusted family member or friend before sending large sums of money. 
• If something feels suspicious, take time to verify before acting. 

Anyone who believes they may have been the victim of fraud is encouraged to contact their local police service immediately and report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

For more information on common scams and fraud prevention, visit Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

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