Police warn local businesses about phone-based credit card fraud

Lethbridge Police are warning local businesses to be vigilant after a recent fraud incident resulted in losses of nearly $20,000.

On January 15, 2026, a local business received three large orders for parts over the phone. Payment for each transaction was made using multiple credit cards. Arrangements were then made with a third-party courier to pick up the merchandise.

After the items were released, the business was contacted by an individual advising that their credit card information had been compromised and that the charges were not authorized. It soon became apparent that the other credit cards used in the transactions were also stolen.

Police intercepted the third-party courier, who advised he had been hired through an online advertisement to provide delivery services. Police would like to remind job-seekers to guard against fraudulent courier work, as it may be associated to crime.

Businesses are advised to watch for red-flags and take extra precautions, particularly when processing orders over the phone:

• Verify new customers:
  • Take steps to verify the legitimacy of a new customer – do a little more research than a basic online search
  • Independently confirm phone numbers using trusted sources - do not rely solely on call display or contact information provided by the customer
    
    
• Multiple credit cards:
• The use of multiple credit cards for a single transaction, particularly for high-value purchases, should be treated as a warning sign
  
  
• Slow the release of goods:
• Just because the credit card clears right away, does not mean it’s all clear
• Consider implementing a delay between when payment is received and when merchandise is released by the business

Anyone who feels that they may have been targeted by this type of scam is asked to contact the Lethbridge Police Service at 403-328-4444 to file a report.