NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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The Nottawasaga detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is warning members of the public to be vigilant when receiving phone calls or emails from alleged fraud departments stating suspicious activity on banking accounts.
Police are hoping that informing the public will help reduce further scams.
What’s been happening and what you should be aware of:
- Phone call from someone pretending to work for a banking institution
- Tells you that your bank accounts are at risk and money needs to be secured in a Bitcoin account
- Provides an address for you to deposit funds into a Bitcoin machine
- Requests you attend your banking institution to withdraw funds
- Requests you to purchase prepaid gift cards and asking you to provide the gift card numbers
- Oftentimes, there will be a request not to tell anyone, to keep it a secret to avoid further trouble
How to protect yourself:
- If something doesn’t seem right hang up
- Call your local police service and meet with an officer
- Make a follow-up call to the actual banking institution to confirm information
For more information regarding ongoing scams in Canada or to report fraud, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at antifraudcentre.ca. If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, call the Nottawasaga OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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