NEW GLASGOW – Pictou County residents were the target of scammers trying to take advantage of an Easter weekend tradition.
Every year, local firefighters take off their boots so people can fill them with money for the Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Fire departments volunteer their time at various locations throughout the county and this year close to $22,000 was raised locally.
However, firefighters also learned that calls were being placed to local residents asking people to donate $50 to $100 via their debit or credit card to the MD boot drive.
“There is no way firefighters from across Nova Scotia would call someone for a donation,” said Kenny Arsenault who represents firefighters for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Arsenault said he first became aware of the scam when a local fire chief received a call asking for a donation to the boot drive. He called Arsenault to report the call and it was reported to the association.
“We put it out on social media right away and said this was a scam,” he said.
Scams can be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
