Fake safety certificates sold across western Canada: RCMP

Potentially thousands of fake safety certificates have been sold across western Canada, Mounties in central Alberta say.

The Red Deer RCMP detachment says detectives are probing a massive operation involving the creation and selling of counterfeit safety credits, including but not limited to H2S Alive®, and First Aid/CPR.

Both of these certificates have to be renewed every three years, so if you recently renewed your credentials, you may want to double-check your documents.

“Two of the major certification organizations affected by this operation are Energy Safety Canada and the Canadian Red Cross,” the RCMP said in a statement.

“Although the majority of the fraudulent activity took place in Alberta, information has led investigators to believe it also extends to other provinces.”

Police say that Energy Safety Canada has special security features on its certificates and you can use an online validation tool to make sure your certificate isn’t counterfeit.

The Canadian Red Cross has a similar tool to verify your safety documents.

While the investigation is ongoing–and normally police wouldn’t share information this early–Mounties say it was important to get the information out there sooner rather than later.

There’s no word on suspects or charges at this point.