Gold, jewellery, paving: Mounties warn of popular scams as spring season looms near

File photo.

The Alberta RCMP have issued notices about certain scams to be on the lookout for as the seasons change in the next month or so.

Distraction and gold scams, for example, mostly happen in retail parking lots. A media release from Mounties said victims are approached by a seemingly stranded driver who says they need money for food, gas or a way to get home. The scammer will offer fake gold or jewellery in exchange for the money.

They may also cite hardship, like the recent death of a family member or gesturing to sad-looking children in their cars to solicit sympathy. A scammer could use the fake jewellery and distraction to remove real jewellery from the victim.

Mounties recommend securing valuables, being cautious of strangers in your personal space or who are attempting to touch you and staying vigilant and aware of these types of scams. They also recommend saying “no,” walking away or yelling for help if the situation becomes suspicious.

Although the weather for paving your driveway may not have hit the province yet, Mounties are also cautioning Albertans against paving scams, which do become common in the spring and summer.

Contractors will claim to have leftover materials from other jobs and offer to pave driveways or parking lots at a reduced pricing. They may use company names that suggest an affiliation with a government road maintenance department, but provide false addresses and contact information.

After collecting payment, these scammers may disappear from the area and customers may find the work to be poor quality, if done at all. This leads to expensive asphalt repairs or, in some cases, the contractors intimidating the customer into paying for poor products and services, Mounties said.

RCMP recommend asking for names of previous customers for verification, researching through the province’s Better Business Bureau or the Consumer Investigations Unit or local Crime Watches.

They also say customers should be skeptical if they, at any time, feel pressured to say “yes” or aren’t able to get information about the quantity or quality of materials being offered.

Mounties also advise getting a written quote with the full business name, address, phone number, GST number and licence numbers if applicable.

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a scam or who may have information about a scam in their area can contact local police or the RCMP non-emergency line at 310-RCMP (7267). Anonymous tips can be made through Crime Stoppers.