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Scammer attempts ruse using Saanich water department

A scammer claiming to be with the District of Saanich is calling residents in an attempt to steal credit card information.

A scammer claiming to be with the District of Saanich is calling residents in an attempt to steal credit card information.

Saanich police say one incident was reported Saturday by a man who was phoned by someone claiming to be from the Saanich water department.

"The caller stated that the credit card used to pay the man's municipal utility bill had been compromised – and requested alternate credit card information in order to pay the man's water bill," wrote Sgt. Scott Treble in a press release.

The resident did not provide any info to the caller.

Valla Tinney, Saanich's director of finance, says the municipality would never call residents asking for personal information over the phone.

"We don't store any credit card information, so we would have no need to phone and get new information," she said. "What the police are saying is bang on – just never give that information (out to anyone) over the phone."

kslavin@saanichnews.com