MEDIA RELEASES

West Vancouver Police Issue Updated Public Advisory in Response to Telephone Scam

Date: 16 January, 2025

West Vancouver, B.C.Fraudsters ‘spoofing’ WVPD non-emergency line and posing as police officers

The West Vancouver Police Department is warning local residents, and those as far away as Ontario, of a scam utilizing WVPD’s non-emergency phone number.

Potential victims are told they are speaking to an officer of the West Vancouver Police Department and are provided with a fake name and badge number. Many are then asked to download an app on their phone, putting themselves at significant risk. WVPD will never ask for bail money, bitcoin, gift cards, or money transfers, and we will not ask you to download apps on your phone.

What can you do if you’re targeted?

-Do not provide the scammers with any information, and end the call immediately.
-Do not call the ‘spoofed’ number back to inquire about missed calls. This inundates the non-emergency police line, delaying access for those who may need assistance.
-Report the attempted fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, either online or toll free at 1-888-495-8501
-Visit westvanpolice.ca to file an online police report if you have been victimized
-Call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 if you have more information about this or other scams

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ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION

· Valid Canadian Driver’s Licence
· Valid BC Identification Card (with photo)
· Valid BC Services Card
· Valid Passport – Canadian or Foreign
· Valid Canadian Permanent Residency Card
· Current Canadian Student ID Card (for youth applicants ages 12-17) *secondary Gov’t issued ID required
· Canadian Birth Certificate
· Valid Canadian Citizenship Card
· Valid Canadian Certificate of Native Status Card
· Valid Nexus Card
· Employee Identification Card issued by the Federal, Provincial or Territorial Government (with photo)
· Old Age Security Identification Card
· Valid Firearms Licence
· Municipal or RCMP Police Identification (with photo only)