Brooks RCMP warn businesses after stolen-card fraud costs local company tanks
Police say a phone scam using three stolen credit card numbers led a Brooks business to lose both merchandise and money.
Why it matters
The warning highlights a scam tactic that could target other Alberta businesses handling phone orders and card payments.
Brooks RCMP are warning local business owners about credit card fraud after a company lost merchandise and money in a phone order scam. Police say a caller sought to buy several hot water tanks and offered three different credit card numbers, claiming he was unsure of the spending limits.
The caller asked that the tanks be left outside for pickup after business hours by a crew. The transaction went through and the merchandise was taken, but the business later learned the cards used had been reported stolen, resulting in a financial loss along with the lost goods.
RCMP noted that an approved transaction does not guarantee a payment is legitimate or that a business is protected from a later chargeback. Police are advising businesses to be wary of large phone orders from unfamiliar customers, especially when multiple cards are offered or unusual pickup arrangements are requested, and to verify suspicious transactions with their payment processor before releasing high-value merchandise.
Brooks RCMP said fraudsters can be convincing and may create urgency to make unusual transactions seem legitimate. Businesses that suspect they have been targeted by fraud are asked to contact Brooks RCMP at 403-362-5535 or report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.