Scams on the rise in Picture Butte – Know the signs of a fraudster

Posted on October 3, 2024 by Sunny South News

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

The snake oil salesmen of old have never really gone away. They adapt and continue to try their hardest to get between good, honest citizens and their hard-earned money. This issue was raised at the September 23 Council meeting, due to a noted increase in scams taking place in Picture Butte.

Common Scams

The Door Knocker

Once such scam targeting Picture Butte right now is the fake lawyer scam. Individuals posing as lawyers or legal representatives knock on the door, claiming urgent legal matters and requiring immediate payment or personal information. 

Also, know that anyone going door to door selling furnaces, energy contracts, water heaters, windows, air conditioners and energy audits could be operating outside the law. Effective January 1, 2017, unsolicited door-to-door sales of household energy products in Alberta were prohibited. However, energy companies can still reach consumers through phone, online sales, kiosks, and advertising. 

Never provide personal information or money to someone at your door without verifying their identity. It is not rude to firmly shut the door or to not answer at all if you do not recognize the person. 

The Grandparent Scam

This one tugs at the heartstrings and is very effective. It involves calls from someone claiming to be a grandchild or relative in distress needing money urgently. The person in “distress” often claims to be travelling and had their wallet stolen or flight delayed. Thanks to social media, the caller may know your family member’s name and ways to use personalised emotional manipulation.