The West Vancouver Police Department (WVPD) is alerting the public to a phone scam in which fraudsters spoof the department’s non-emergency phone number, posing as police officers to target potential victims across Canada, including as far as Ontario.
Scammers using the WVPD’s non-emergency line claim to be officers, providing fake names and badge numbers to establish credibility. Victims are often coerced into downloading apps on their phones, exposing them to further risks.
“The West Vancouver Police Department will never call you from our non-emergency line,” the department clarified in a statement. “That number is strictly for residents reporting non-urgent police matters. We also do not request bail money, bitcoin, gift cards, money transfers, or the installation of apps on your phone.”
How to Protect Yourself
WVPD advises anyone who receives such a call to:
Refuse to share personal information and hang up immediately.
Avoid returning calls to the spoofed number, as this ties up the non-emergency line, delaying assistance for others.
Report attempted fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or at 1-888-495-8501.
File a police report at westvanpolice.ca if you have been victimized.
Share information about this or other scams by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and share this information to help prevent others from falling victim to the scam.
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