Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is warning the public about scammers using the OPP’s non-emergency telephone number in an effort to legitimize fraudulent bank investor scams. In this scam, victims are misled into believing they must help catch a dishonest bank employee or resolve suspicious transactions by providing personal information or transferring funds. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) are also warning about ongoing phishing schemes where those behind the scams claim to represent the RCMP. OPP has seen an increase in the spoofing of business, government and law enforcement telephone numbers, email addresses and websites. How the schemes work Individuals engaged in these fraudulent activities often impersonate financial institutions, claiming that unauthorized transactions have occurred on your account or that your account has been compromised. They pressure victims to provide personal information, transfer funds or assist in a fake investigation. To appear credible, those behind the schemes may: How to protect yourself Do not trust caller ID. Those behind the scam can spoof legitimate numbers to deceive you. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and verify the claims by contacting your bank or the organization directly. Use a trusted number, such as the one on the back of your debit or credit card. Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited messages and never share authentication codes. Do not allow anyone remote access to your computer under any circumstances. Legitimate organizations will never: Important reminders from the OPP If you suspect fraud, contact:
