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Another phone scam reported to police

The caller claimed that there was a motor vehicle collision in Calgary and payment was needed to rectify the situation
phone scam fraud

NEWS RELEASE

ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE

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CENTRE WELLINGTON TOWNSHIP – On Jan. 24, 2017 Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a fraud complaint from a man in Fergus.

He received a call from an unknown male posing as legal counsel for his son. He claimed that there was a motor vehicle collision in Calgary and payment was needed to rectify the situation. 

The fraudster said payment needed to be paid through “Steam” gift cards. This is an online computer gaming platform where you can pay for downloading games. The gift cards were purchased and serial registration numbers were provided over the phone for a total of $9,200. 

Police continue to investigate this fraud.

Remember

  • Protect yourself; remember scammers are counting on the fact that you will want to act quickly to help your loved ones in an emergency.
  • Never send money to anyone you don’t know and trust. Verify the person’s identity before you take any steps to help. Scammers usually want you to keep things confidential; this should raise your suspicions.
  • Don’t give out any personal information to the caller.
  • Investigate by asking the person questions that only your loved one would be able to answer. Call the child’s parents or friends to verify the story.  Ask yourself, does the caller’s story make sense?
  • Educate your relatives, friends, and neighbours about this scam.

What should I do if I have been scammed? You should report the matter immediately to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online at www.antifraudcentre.ca.

As well, you should report the matter to the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.  Although it may be difficult to recover the money you have lost to a scam by reporting the scam to authorities, you are warning other people about the scam and minimizing the chances of the scam spreading further.   

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