Red Deer RCMP are warning the public of a new scam involving emailed traffic tickets after receiving 11 calls this morning from citizens, none of whom were taken in by the scam.
Several callers reported receiving as many as five emails stating that they had received a traffic ticket; the scam emails seen in Red Deer so far haven’t claimed to be from any recognized organization, and cite ‘negligent driving’ as the reason for the ticket.
“As with any unexpected demand for money, recipients need to examine it closely and ask themselves questions about the legitimacy of the claim, including who it’s coming from,” said Const. Derek Turner of the Red Deer RCMP. “The City of Red Deer and the RCMP do not email parking or traffic tickets to citizens. Delete these emails, and whatever you do, do not click on the links in them.”
In Red Deer, photo radar tickets are sent to drivers through the mail and include details of the infraction, photographs, clear information about methods of payment and timelines, and always include contact phone numbers and options for those wishing to further discuss or dispute the ticket. Reminders about overdue parking fines from the City of Red Deer are also sent through the mail with detailed instructions about options, timelines and contact phone numbers.
Police warn to that citizens should arm themselves and the vulnerable people in their lives by learning how to recognize and protect themselves from fraud at www.antifraudcentre.ca. For more information visit www.reddeer.ca/parking or www.reddeer.ca/rcmp.
– Fawcett
