Scammers allegedly posing as Brantford Police officers

A person uses a cell phone in Ottawa on Monday, July 18, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Residents in Brantford have been contacted by scammers pretending to be police officers.

According to the Brantford Police Service, the scheme starts with a phone call.

The caller, claiming to be an officer, says the Canada Border Services Agency intercepted their Amazon parcel and found “illegal items.”

To avoid arrest, the resident is told to purchase gift cards and share those codes with “police.”

“Police will never call and ask you to buy gift cards or request personal financial information over the phone,” the social media post advised.

The Brantford Police Service said they’ve received several reports of the phishing scam.

They urge anyone who receives a similar call to hang up immediately and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.