We’ve been covering scams in this column for more than two decades. Thank goodness for the opportunity to be able to cover them in this paper, whether they are electronic, based on emails, text messages, or fake websites, or whether they depend on the old-fashioned landline phone call.

Fortunately, as we covered in a recent column involving a reader who unwittingly permitted their webmail account to become compromised, many of us are quick to recognize a scam and brush aside these fraudulent attempts. However, there clearly remain enough potential victims for these schemes to remain profitable.

Recently, the Vancouver Police Department warned the public about an ongoing scam involving fake bank employees and fake police officers apparently working together.

According to the VPD, victims receive a call from someone claiming to be from their bank, warning of suspicious activity and asking for help with an “investigation.” A second caller then poses as a police officer to make the scheme appear legitimate.

Victims are eventually instructed to withdraw money, purchase bitcoin at an ATM, and transfer the funds. Some victims have lost approximately $10,000.

“We want to remind people that no police officer will ever recommend you send money or bitcoin to someone you don’t know,” said Const. Megan Lui. “A bank will not ask you to help them with an investigation, and they will never ask you to send bitcoin.”

Police urge anyone who receives such calls to hang up and contact their bank directly.

Repeat after me: “I will not move money because of a phone call from my bank. If I need to move money, I will initiate the transaction myself, either in person or through my own online banking session.”

Likewise, “I won’t let calls or messages suggesting immediate action is required short-circuit my critical thinking skills.”

Banks simply do not make calls involving these sorts of scenarios. Police do not make calls of this type. While we are at it, police don’t send out text messages demanding immediate payment for parking infractions. Perhaps, like me, you’ve seen a few of these texts in recent weeks, and some people may be tempted to pay, usually pressured by a pay-now-or-pay-more tomorrow incentive.

As this column was being written, the Waterloo Regional Police Service released a warning about a variation of the “investigator” scam in its area, where several victims were defrauded of $100,000, and other victims likely too embarrassed to report it.

In this case, the variation uses spoofing technology, which causes the “bank” calls to appear legitimate by displaying its name with a believable phone number. The caller convinces the victim to help the bank combat suspicious activity by disclosing account information or, in more blatant cases, having a “bank officer” or courier drop by to pick up the victim’s bank cards.

Like other law enforcement agencies, the Waterloo Police issued some commonsense reminders. Be wary, they said, of:

• Requests for secrecy or pressure to act quickly
• Instructions not to speak with family members or bank staff
• Requests to hand over bank cards or share PIN information

For resources on frauds and scams, visit the Canadian government site at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.

Visit Global Scam Watch at globalscamwatch.org/forum  for information about forums on scam awareness, wildfire prevention, and emergency preparedness. The Community Safety and FireSmart™ Forums are free and take place across Metro Vancouver.