Northern Ont. police say residents are being targeted by online and telephone crypto scams
There has been a surge in online and telephone fraud attempts in northern Ontario, provincial police said in a recent news release.
Provincial police say there has been a surge in online and telephone fraud attempts in northern Ontario recently. A man uses a computer keyboard in Toronto in this Sunday, Oct. 9, 2023 photo illustration. (Graeme Roy/The Canadian Press)
On Friday, the West Parry Sound Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said, in a news release, that it is investigating multiple frauds that have occurred over the past month.
“Over the last 30 days members of the West Parry Sound OPP have responded to 12 calls for service regarding frauds and scams with losses totaling over $100,000,” said police.
OPP officials said several of the fraud cases center around investing in cryptocurrency.
Protect yourself
Police offered the following tips to help protect yourself:
- CRA or government offices will never request payments in cryptocurrency or prepaid gift cards.
- Hang up if anyone is using abusive language and/or threatening you with immediate arrest if you do not comply with demands for payment.
- Do not give out personal information.
- Hang up on any phone calls if there is anything suspicious.
- Do not be afraid to say no.
- Protect your online accounts.
- Always do your research.
A undated file photo of a cordless phone. (CTV News)
Police advise that if you think you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, to contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or your nearest police authority.
For more information on how to protect yourself against common scams, visit www.antifraudcentre.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
As Canada warms, infectious disease risks spread north
Cases of Lyme disease have now increased more than 1,000 per cent in a decade as the warming climate pushes the boundaries of a range of pathogens and risk factors northward.
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
Custom baseball card released of Blue Jays fan struck in the face with foul ball
Liz McGuire, the Blue Jays fan who was struck in the face with a 110 m.p.h. foul ball last week, has been pictured on a custom baseball trading card applauding her fandom to the game.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
The dreams of a 60-year-old beauty contestant come to an abrupt end in Argentina
A 60-year-old woman saw her dreams of becoming the oldest Miss Universe contestant in history melt away in a haze of sequins and selfies Saturday at Argentina’s annual beauty pageant.
Pro-Palestinian protesters expected to meet with U of T administration
Pro-Palestinian protesters who have set up an encampment on the University of Toronto campus are expected to meet with school officials today.
Are you a loud snorer? You could have sleep apnea
You'll have a lot more energy throughout the day if you get a good night's sleep, but not everyone does due to a medical condition.
Beer Store planning to 'thrive and adapt' as Ontario announces changes to alcohol sales starting this summer
The Beer Store says it is looking forward to the next stage in its “evolution” as the province rolls out an accelerated timeline for expanding retail alcohol sales in Ontario.