The Yorkton RCMP in collaboration with the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce, the Yorkton Business Improvement District, and several local businesses, have formed a fraud prevention initiative.
Staff Sergant Jeff Simpson states the initiative was assembled due to the recognition that scams continue to happen in the city.
“Not long before we decided to convene this group we had a gentleman that had come into the detachment and had essentially been defrauded, and purchased, over 10-thousand dollars worth of gift cards,” Simpson explained.
“And we said, ‘It’s time for us to come up with another solution that could potentially prevent this.”
The initiative will focus on the purchasing of high risk gift cards worth over $200, to prevent them from being used for fraudulent purposes.
The City of Yorkton, on its Facebook Page, said other measures to combat the issue include:
• Any instances of purchases in excess of this amount will require a conversation with a manager to ensure the purpose of the gift card purchase
• Retailers will post signage at the point of display in addition to the cash registers, in attempt to notify customers of this new policy
• Retailers will also educate their staff on this policy, as well as the potential for fraud.
Anyone wanting additional information regarding this can refer to the Yorkton RCMP Facebook Page or call the Yorkton RCMP Detachment at 306-786-2400.