A new, but familiar, phone scam is making the rounds in Weyburn. Some residents have reported to the Weyburn Police Service in the past week they have received calls saying they have won a prize in the STARS Lottery. 

“They were advising their victims they’d won a lot of money, and they eventually started asking for personal details, for personal identity, as well as financial information,” said Corporal Ryan Cherniawsky with the WPS about the scam calls. “Of course, we advise never to, over the phone, provide any personal or financial information to random callers.” 

The STARS Lottery is a real lottery, with tickets being sold in the spring and summer. For the lottery held earlier this year, the draw was held on August 3rd.  

Cherniawsky explained people always want to verify the caller when receiving a call such as this, and that when you receive a call stating you have won a prize, if you are asked to pay money or to provide information over the phone in order to receive the prize, it is likely a scam.  

“If you receive a call like this and you want to verify it, take as much information from them as you can get, then independently verify,” Cherniawsky added. 

In the case of the STARS Lottery, the winners are published on the STARS Lottery website. You can also email the lottery directly, or call them at (888) 495-8501 if you purchased a ticket and wanted to know if you are a winner.