Ontario Provincial Police are warning the public about a phone scam in which fraudsters impersonate officers and use technology to make calls appear to come from a legitimate northern Ontario police detachment. The scammers have been contacting Sudbury community members repeatedly, identifying themselves as police officers and attempting to extract personal information or details about ongoing investigations. “In recent incidents, scammers have been calling individuals repeatedly and identifying themselves as police officers,” the OPP said in a news release Monday. Police said the callers may request personal information, ask about ongoing investigations, or attempt to obtain sensitive details under the pretense of assisting with a police matter. “The repeated calls are often used as a tactic to pressure individuals into responding,” said OPP. Police said investigators have learned that fraudsters are using spoofing technology to make it appear as though the calls are coming from a legitimate police number, specifically the Sudbury OPP phone number 705-564-6900. “This tactic is intended to make the calls appear credible and increase the likelihood that individuals will answer and engage,” said OPP. Police will not request financial information by phone OPP added that officers will not request sensitive personal or financial information over the phone in this manner. The calls are fraudulent and are an attempt to deceive individuals into providing information that could be used for criminal purposes. “The OPP is committed to protecting the community and encourages everyone to stay informed and report suspicious activity,” said police. Precautions for the public Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and take the following precautions: Reporting suspicious calls If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from police, hang up and report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
