Columbia Valley RCMP received a report of someone falling victim to a phone scam, losing $500.
The report came into local RCMP on November 6, 2019, when the victim complied with the caller’s request before realizing it was not legitimate.
Police say the caller claimed to be with Service Canada and told the victim his social insurance number was compromised and used for illegal activity.
The individual was threatened with arrest and given the option to set up a new SIN by purchasing $500 in Google Play gift cards.
The RCMP said it’s important to remember that legitimate organizations do not take gift cards as payment.