Fraudulent phone calls
Police have had reports of local residents receiving “prank calls” or “fraudulent calls”. Further investigation indicated that the calls were coming from a dialling program which can disguise the location the calls are coming from.
Citizens are to be aware that at this time of year there can be an increase in fraudulent calls from people claiming to be with legitimate companies, asking for personal information or money. Please do not provide personal details over the phone; ask for a phone number from the caller; and do some common-sense follow up with the company the caller says they are from.
If the caller becomes rude or vulgar, this is a good indication it is a fraudulent call, so hang up. If you have call display, note the number the call came from. You can report the call to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online, or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.
More information please
Ongoing reports of erratic drivers are being reported to police. Many of those calls have not provided a licence plate number, and thus make it difficult to hold the registered owners accountable for the manner in which the vehicle is alleged to have been driven.
Please note that if you are making a report regarding driving behaviour, a plate number would be helpful. If, when you report the incident, you wish a driving infraction to be enforced, you may be required to attend traffic court to assist in defending a violation ticket if it is disputed.
No open liquor in vehicles
On November 26, a violation ticket was issued to a driver for having open liquor in a motor vehicle under the Liquor Control and Licencing Act. This is a good reminder, in this holiday season, that open liquor cannot be within reach of a driver, and should be transported in the trunk area of a motor vehicle.
For any information about the above listed files, please contact the Ashcroft RCMP at (250) 453-2216, or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).