Scammers are spoofing North Bay police’s phone number

Police in North Bay are warning the public about a spoofing scam in which people receive calls claiming to be police asking for money.

The real North Bay Police Service has issued a warning about several fake calls being made in the area that appear to be from the police service.

As is often the case with these types of scams, the fraudsters are trying to convince members of the public to give them money.

“Scammers often use a ‘spoofed’ phone number,” police said in a news release Wednesday.

“This means that when you receive the call, it shows on your phone as being from the North Bay Police Service.”

The caller will pretend to be from the police and will try to get money either by asking for a donation or claiming a loved one or friend is in need of bail money.

“Scammers may offer to pick the money up in person or have it sent by mail or online, sometimes through the use of cryptocurrency,” the release said.

Police won’t ask for donations

Police remind the public that no law enforcement agency will threaten you to pay someone’s bail, solicit donations or ask that bail be paid in cash or cryptocurrency.

“We will never pick up bail funds from your home or accept them through online transfer,” police said.

“There is no such thing as a ‘gag order’ that prevents you from telling another person that someone has been arrested.”

If you receive a call from someone claiming to represent the North Bay Police Service and you are unsure whether the call is legitimate, hang up and call police at 705-497-5555 and press ‘5’ to speak with an officer.

To remain anonymous, contact Near North Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by submitting a tip online.

You can also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or report fraud online.