Fraud was a major source of activity for the Drumheller Detachment of the RCMP over 2013.
Police statistics for the fourth quarter of 2013 were released as well as yearly totals and fraud continues to be a concern for the RCMP. While the actual numbers of charges for fraud have not grown considerably, Staff Sergeant Art Hopkins says it is not the number of successes but the attempts at separating money from its owners, that is concerning.
“With computer crime there are more different ways to make attempts. For instance, I received one on my own computer the other day that said it was the power company and that I have exceeded the power quota for a reduced rate on my contract and I would have to send more money,” said Hopkins. “That was the first time I have heard of that.”
“The different ways there is to defraud people from their money is phenomenal.”
Another common swindle he hears about is the grandparent scam, when a person gets a call from a long lost relative in crisis. The caller often has just enough personal information to make their claim sound credible.
He says one of the keys to not falling prey to a scam is to protect personal information. A number of websites ask for personal information and in turn, those with dishonest motivations can use that information.
While the actual numbers have gone up a little bit, the attempts are on the rise. Most often, the RCMP will not score these attempts as complaints, but rather refer it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud centre.
Overall he said it appears crime statistics show crime is reduced in many areas, but one area it is on the rise is drug possession. He says these numbers are inflated because of seizures at the Drumheller Institution.
“We are getting way more possession of drugs in the penitentiary,” he said, explaining that it is not large quantities.
“It is being spread out more and discovered that way, but the quantity associated to it is down,” said Hopkins. Most of it is hash oil, we are not getting as much of the other drugs like heroin, cocaine or meth.”
One of the enforcement priorities for the detachment last year was distracted driving, and while there has been increased enforcement, Hopkins says they are not seeing much change.
“The fine is not high enough, there is no demerit points, it is just not having the desired affect,” sad Hopkins. “That has been presented to the provincial government and they are reviewing it.”
He expects there may be changes in the future to the legislation.
