November 30, 2022

Grey Bruce OPP are asking you not to pay the con artist

The South Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is asking residents to continue watching out for cons and scams after reports that more than $10,000 was lost this past week in Southern Bruce County.

Cons and scams are attempted daily through online platforms, by phone, by letter mail, or by fax. The reality is that fraud is a multi-million-dollar enterprise that will only end when the con artists stop making money.

Fraud is happening in Southern Bruce County. This past week, over $10,000 was lost.

• Using the 'Microsoft scam,' a con artist took $8,500 in gift cards from a Municipality of Kincardine resident.
• Using the 'Mystery shopper scam,' a con artist took $1,300 in gift cards from a Municipality of Brockton resident.
• Using the 'Cash prize scam,' a con artist took $500 in gift cards from an Arran-Elderslie Township resident.

The South Bruce OPP is asking you to be very cautious with anyone asking you to buy gift cards. This is a common tactic that scammers are using. Once you have scratched to reveal the code, and shared the code, your money is gone.

Tech-savvy scammers use technology to create very convincing schemes to trick you into sending them money. They will commonly use the name of a real company to gain your trust so that you will send money or personal information to them.

The South Bruce OPP is offering you some tips to help protect you from a con artist:

• If it sounds too good to be true, it likely is.
• Remember that you can't win a contest that you didn't enter in the first place.
• If you have a concern about your computer, take it to a reputable repair shop for service. Do not provide remote access to a 'tech' that calls you out of the blue
• Gift cards are a red flag. If someone contacts you and directs you to buy gift cards, you need to hang up the phone.
• Your best defence is to verify any unsolicited contact. Unsolicited means that you didn't ask for it.

Anyone interested in more information on fraud can contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1 888 495 8501 or check online at http://www.antifraudcentr e.ca/.

The South Bruce OPP is requesting anyone with information to call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web-tip at www.cstip.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.

 

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