OPP investigated 20 fraud cases in Renfrew County last month
Ontario Provincial Police say there has been a noticeable increase in fraud cases in Renfrew County.
In a news release, OPP said officers investigated 20 cases of fraud in the region in March.
Police gave some examples in which case victims were scammed out of thousands of dollars. In one case, a woman was told she had already been the victim of a scam and the fraudster asked for personal information, which the victim provided. She ended up e-transferring $2,000 into a Bitcoin account and giving her driver’s licence and credit card information to the caller.
In another case, a bank employee contacted police on behalf of a customer who withdrew money from their bank account and purchased gift cards at the scammer's request. The victim lost approximately $8,000.
In a third case, a scammer called a victim and told them their identity was compromised and that by confirming their identity and transferring money, it would assist the "Fraud Department" in identifying who is responsible. Police said the victim forwarded a photo of their driver's licence, provided their credit card information and e-transferred $2,000 to a Bitcoin account.
Another victim was directed to a Bitcoin ATM in Renfrew and told to deposit $5,600 or her bank account would be frozen and she would be arrested.
“The OPP would like to remind the public to be cautious when receiving phone calls, text messages or emails requesting personal or banking information. Scammers are also asking victims to purchase gift cards or send money via cryptocurrency which are difficult methods for police to trace,” police said.
“If you are asked to provide all of your banking information and passwords, don't do it, it's a scam. Ask yourself why any company would ask for banking information over the phone or text message when they should already have your information on file,” the OPP cautioned. “Contact the company or agency directly to confirm that you really are a victim of identity fraud before providing any personal or banking information.”
If you want to report a fraud, or if you need more information, contact The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or at 1-888-495-8501.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs forward William Nylander sits out 3rd straight game to open the playoffs
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander sat out his third straight game to open the playoffs Wednesday night because of an undisclosed injury.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.