CPS warns of telephone scammers pretending to be the fire department

At least four Calgarians have recently received phone calls from someone falsely claiming to be representing the Calgary Fire Department.

The Calgary Police Service released a statement on Thursday explaining that these calls are scams, and that any money donated to the Calgary Fire Department or a firefighter-related charity through the phone call is being stolen.

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The release states that a person had been asked for donations of up to $300 in one of the phone calls, and that the scammer had attempted to acquire personal and financial information from the victim.

One person sent $20 to the scammer, according to the release.

“It’s unfortunate that fraudsters are targeting citizens during the holiday season and attempting to take advantage of the goodwill that citizens often express towards Calgary firefighters and the Calgary Fire Department,” said Carol Henke, Public Information Officer with the Calgary Fire Department, in the release.

“If you receive a suspicious phone call that you think may be a scam, we advise that you hang up immediately,” she said. “Do not give out any information or money.”

The release also states that the Fire Department will never solicit donations, and that there are currently no fundraisers running on behalf of firefighter charities.

Anyone who receives a suspicious phone call that may be related to this scam is asked to contact the Calgary Police Service’s non-emergency number of 403-266-1234, or online through CPS’ Report a Crime page.