Another warning from police not to give out any personal information, especially financial details, to strangers.
Chatham-Kent Police have received several reports of residents receiving suspicious phone calls from someone claiming to be a family member or a family member’s lawyer, asking for money.
“Personal or financial information should never be given over the phone, especially if you didn’t initiate the call,” Chatham-Kent Police officials say in a news release. “A key indicator you’ve received a scam call is if they ask for payment with iTunes or gift cards. If you receive this type of call, please hang up and call another family member.”
Authorities say scammers use panic, threatening language, or an aggressive tone to scare their victims into making an immediate payment.
Elgin OPP are also investigating after a would-be victim got a phone call from a man claiming to be their son. The caller said he’d been involved in a crash and needed $9000 for a lawyer and court fees.
Authorities say scammers have become far more modern and tech-savvy, and often have personal information about their targets before making contact.
“The OPP is reminding all Elgin County residents to be extremely vigilant and to be alert for unsolicited calls, emails, faxes, or visitors that arrive at your residence,” said Mark Loucas, Elgin OPP Detachment Commander. “If anyone should receive a call in this manner, please contact your immediate family and inquire if anyone needs assistance. Please do not forward any funds without speaking to family members first.”
For more information on how to recognize and protect yourself from a scam, please see https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/security/protect-yourself-against-fraud.html
Anyone who thinks they may have been targeted by scam artists is asked to contact Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.helpsolvecrime.com.