Regina police are warning the public about scam calls connected to the STARS Lottery, according to a CTV News headline dated October 6, 2026. The available information does not describe what callers are saying or how the calls work, so treat an unexpected lottery-related call cautiously and verify it before sharing information or taking action.
What the scam looks like
The details of the calls in Regina have not been provided in the information available here. In general, a lottery scam call may try to make someone believe they have won a prize, need to claim an entry or must take some step to receive winnings. The caller may ask for personal or financial information, or try to get the person to pay money. These are common warning signs to be alert to, not confirmed details about the calls police are warning about.
A call can sound convincing and may use the name of a real organization. A warning about a scam connected to a lottery does not, by itself, mean the legitimate lottery or the organization behind it is responsible. If someone says they represent STARS Lottery, end the call and verify the contact independently. Do not rely on a phone number, link or instructions supplied by the caller; look up official contact information yourself through a trusted source.
Be especially cautious if the person says you must act immediately, keep the conversation secret, or pay a fee before a prize can be released. Do not send money or share banking credentials, card details, passwords or one-time security codes during an unexpected call. If you are unsure whether you entered a lottery or are entitled to a prize, pause and check through independently verified channels.
Red flags to watch for
- Unexpected prize news: You are told you have won a lottery or contest you do not remember entering.
- A demand for payment: The caller says you must pay a fee, tax or other charge directly to receive a prize.
- Requests for sensitive details: They ask for passwords, banking information, card numbers or security codes.
- Pressure to act quickly: They discourage you from taking time to verify the call or speak with someone you trust.
- Unusual payment instructions: They ask for money by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer or another hard-to-reverse method.
- Instructions to keep quiet: They tell you not to discuss the call with family, your bank or police.
- Caller-provided verification: They give you a number or website and insist you use it to confirm their story.
What to do if you’ve been targeted
- End the call. Do not argue or share more information. You can simply say you will verify the claim independently.
- Do not pay or provide codes. Never disclose a password or one-time security code to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
- Verify separately. Find contact information for the organization through a trusted, independent source and ask whether the call is genuine. Do not use contact details supplied by the caller.
- Keep a record. Note the date and time, what the caller claimed, and any number or messages you received. Do not call back just to gather more information.
- If you shared banking details or sent money, contact your bank immediately. Ask what steps are available to protect your accounts or try to stop a transaction. Change any passwords you disclosed, and change them anywhere else you reused them.
- Tell someone you trust. A second opinion can help you assess the call and act quickly if you shared information.
How to report it
Report the call to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or through antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca. You can also contact your local police service, including Regina police if you are in Regina. If money was sent or banking information was disclosed, contact your bank promptly as well. Reporting is useful even if you did not lose money; keep any call records or messages to help describe what happened.
Frequently asked questions
Does this warning mean the real STARS Lottery is involved?
No. A warning about scam calls connected to a lottery does not establish that the legitimate lottery is involved in the calls. Verify any claim using independently found contact information.
What if I only answered the call?
If you did not share information, send money or follow instructions, there may be no further action needed beyond ending the call and staying alert for follow-up messages. If you did provide details or payment, contact your bank when relevant and report the incident.
Source: Regina police warning public of STARS Lottery Scam calls – CTV News
Reviewed by our editorial team on .
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The Scam Alert Team tracks fraud targeting Canadians and turns official warnings into clear, practical advice. Our team has a background in IT and cybersecurity, and every article is fact-checked against official sources before publication. How we verify alerts