Wood Buffalo RCMP are providing some tips to help residents avoid being scammed.

According to the police, local residents have lost a combined $16,000 from scammers over the past three months.

They didn’t clarify what scams these residents were victims of, however, the Canadian Red Cross has been made aware of four across the community revolving around the pandemic and flood.

The RCMP are reminding residents to avoid sharing personal information over the phone and to verify the organization calling by going on the internet to determine whether the number is connected to the group.

The Mounties will also not make arrests for overdue Canadian Revenue Agency fines, request payments for any police matter to be paid via prepaid credit cards or by a gift card, or ask for prepaid credit cards or gift cards for payments in lieu of criminal charges being laid, pending, or as a form of restitution.

Those dealing with the CRA should also know the organization will contact you via your secure account online, which only you should have access to, and they won’t request outstanding monetary payments to be paid via prepaid credit cards or gift cards.

If you have information on a potential scam, you’re encouraged to contact RCMP at 780-788-4040 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

People who’ve been scammed can contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or by calling 1-888-495-8501.