The Peace Region is facing a wave of scams, with warnings issued in both Fort St. John and Hudson’s Hope about fraudulent activities targeting local residents.
The Fort St. John Firefighter’s Association has alerted the public to a phone scam involving fraudsters posing as firefighters. Residents have reported receiving unsolicited calls from individuals claiming to raise funds for charity. The association has confirmed these calls are a scam and urges residents to “be wary of them.”
This warning comes ahead of the association’s annual charity ball, scheduled for May 3rd—a legitimate fundraising event.
Meanwhile, Hudson’s Hope has reported a different type of scam involving suspicious text messages. The messages, sent by individuals impersonating “a BC Parking Department,” falsely claim that recipients have outstanding parking penalties.
In a notice, the district has said it is a scam and is reminding residents that government agencies will never request personal information via text. They are also advising people not to click on any links within the messages or provide any personal details.
A similar scam has also been reported in Fort St. John, with “multiple reports” of fraudulent text messages circulating locally.
To safeguard against potential fraud, the city recommends following guidance from the Government of Canada’s Anti-Fraud Centre, which offers tips on protecting yourself from scams.