Members of the Peterborough County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) continue to receive multiple calls regarding FRAUDS/SCAMS through the month of September.
Although not all calls reported as Frauds/Scams actually are, OPP are still seeing various Frauds/Scams that you should be aware of. So far in the month of September, the Peterborough County OPP have received nineteen (19) calls related to Frauds/Scams. Some turn out to be civil matters and advice is provided, but here are a few that you should be cautious of.
· Caller reported an email was received from their own email address stating their computer was hacked and if a sum of money was not paid a compromising video would be released.
· Caller had been chatting with someone online and voluntarily sent compromising photos. The caller was then told they needed to pay money or the photos would be released.
· Caller sold an item online and was instructed to send proof it was shipped before payment would be made. Proof was sent and then the caller was then blocked by the ‘buyer’.
· Caller was attempting to purchase concert tickets from an individual online. Payment was sent for tickets which were never received. When confronted, caller was told to send more money to replace them, and an additional ticket would be included.
· Caller sent $2800 to a person online to purchase a vehicle. The vehicle was never delivered, and the caller has been blocked by the ‘seller’.
These are only a handful of the Frauds/Scams that are attempted on a regular basis. Please use caution when making online purchases/sales and never send compromising photos to anyone you don’t know.
For more information on other common scams in Canada, check out the Competition Bureau Canada’s The Little Black Book of Scams: https://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/04333.html
For additional information on ongoing scams in Canada and to report fraud, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or
https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, please contact police.
To serve our province by protecting its citizens, upholding the law, and preserving public safety.
Peterborough County OPP values your contribution to building safe communities. If you have information about suspected unlawful activity, please visit Crime Stoppers at: stopcrimehere.ca or call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).