Authorities are alerting Canadians to a growing threat posed by fraudsters impersonating the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) and law enforcement agencies. The CAFC, along with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), have identified several common scams used by these fraudsters.
One prevalent scheme involves fraudsters posing as bank investigators or representatives from major credit card companies. Victims are contacted with claims of unauthorized transactions or compromised accounts. The fraudsters then request sensitive information or demand money under the guise of assisting with investigations.
Another tactic targets individuals through false tech support claims, alleging computer viruses or hacking incidents. Victims are pressured into providing access to their computers, enabling fraudsters to manipulate settings or install malicious software.
In a separate scam, fraudsters promise victims refunds or assistance in recovering funds lost to previous frauds. They impersonate government agencies or law enforcement, urging victims to participate in fake sting operations or investigations. These schemes often involve convincing victims to make payments upfront, falsely promising reimbursement that never materializes.
Authorities emphasize the use of official logos and misleading correspondence, such as fraudulent emails, to deceive victims into believing the legitimacy of these scams. They advise anyone suspecting fraudulent activity to contact local police, the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Reports can also be filed directly with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.
For more information on identifying and reporting scams, visit antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.
(Written by: Scott Arnold)
