File photo
Osoyoos Times Staff
RCMP are investigating a strange incident in Princeton where a man possibly posed as an Interior Health official.
A woman reported t0 RCMP last week her 82-year-old mother in Princeton had recently suffered an injury and was awaiting a referral to a local home care service.
On March 27 her mother was contacted by telephone from an unknown number, RCMP said.
“A man on the other line claimed to be with Interior Health Authority. The man asked her if she would mind going on a drive with him so he could evaluate her memory ability to return home after an appointment. Later that day, the man attended her home, wearing a grey suit, surgical mask and gloves. The man also had an identification card which read ‘Interior Health,'” Const. James Grandy said in a press release.
The mother drove the man to one part of Princeton in her own vehicle, and then shortly thereafter, drove the man back to her residence. The man then said he would walk to his own car, which he parked down the road.
Her mother did not notice anything missing from her residence, or her vehicle, and no other known crime had taken place, RCMP said.
RCMP in Princeton are actively investigating to confirm whether this was an actual Interior Health representative, or a possible scam. RCMP has not yet received any similar reports, and believes the incident to be isolated.
The man was described as: Caucasian, approximately six feet tall, between 30 and 40 years of age, average build, brown hair.
Interior Health guidelines state that health services are based on referrals that are initiated by individuals or family contacting IH with a request.
“Individuals should already be aware that we will be reaching out for initial assessment and identification of services. There would be no ‘cold calls’ originating from any of our services.”
Interior Health identification cards are issued to staff so that the public can see that the person they are interacting with is indeed the person they claim to be.
Identification includes a photo.
It is within the public’s right ask to see the identification and credentials of any “person in authority” such as law enforcement, security, etc., IH policy states.
“Our policy states that all staff must wear their ID in a visible location anytime that they are on site or doing business for Interior Health.”
If anyone has information on this occurrence, or experiences a similar suspicious circumstance, they are encouraged to call the Princeton RCMP, 250-295-6911, or their local Police.
