If you get a call about the WRPS Backpack Challenge, it’s a scam: Police

Masquerading a crime as a charitable cause that’s what fraudsters often do, especially through phone and text scams.

The latest iteration was reported Friday morning as someone pretended to be connected to the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) and its Backpack Challenge.

The challenge is an annual initiative where local police partner with businesses and community members to collect backpacks and donate them to kids in-need.

A Waterloo man was called by the “phoney” person around 10:25 a.m. who solicited donations but luckily, he could tell something was wrong so he hung up and notified police.

Officers confirmed the call was not legitimate and they are now investigating the incident.

If you get one of these calls, you’re asked to hang up and report it to 519-570-9777.

“Waterloo Regional Police would like to remind the public that police will not make calls to ask for donations or contributions to any charity,” read a notice from the WRPS.

The service also released the following tips to help protect yourself from falling victim to a phone scam:

• Take a moment to pause and consider why this organization would be contacting you.
• Don’t feel obligated to engage in conversation – it is okay to hang up.
• Never provide personal information or banking information over the phone.