RDOS says no evidence of staff impersonation after earlier wildfire-area warning
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen offices at 101 Martin Street in Penticton. The RDOS issued an October 9 correction to an earlier public warning about possible staff impersonation.
Photo credit: Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
PENTICTON — The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen says it has no evidence that anyone falsely claimed to represent the regional district during a visit to a wildfire-affected property, correcting a public warning issued three days earlier.
In an October 9 information release, the RDOS said it had received additional information about an incident that prompted its October 6 warning concerning a possible staff impersonator.
The original notice stated that the regional district had received a report of someone going door-to-door in wildfire-affected areas while falsely claiming to be an RDOS employee. It also stated that the individual was not affiliated with the regional district.
The October 9 update provided a revised account of the information available to the RDOS.
"The original notice was issued based on information received by the RDOS indicating that an individual had identified themselves as being with the RDOS while visiting a private property," the regional district said.
"Since then, additional information has been received indicating there is no evidence that an individual falsely claimed to represent the RDOS."
The RDOS did not specify what additional information prompted the correction or establish the identity or affiliation of the person who visited the property. It also did not identify the property or community involved.
The regional district thanked residents and partner agencies for helping clarify the circumstances but did not identify those agencies or attribute the revised finding to a police investigation.
The October 6 warning had advised residents to verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent the RDOS before sharing personal information. It also encouraged residents to contact the RCMP if they encountered someone claiming to be an RDOS representative and had concerns about that person's identity.
Those precautions appeared in the original notice, which remains available on the regional district's website. The October 9 update does not repeat the warning or report evidence of impersonation.
Residents seeking further information about the corrected notice can contact the RDOS Regional Emergency Operations Centre information line at 250-490-4225.
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