On 28 Feb '23, and on our behalves, Dave Douglas welcomed OPP officers Ed Sanchuk & Brad Wiersma as our Guest Speakers. At our hybrid (ie live attendance at R83 with zoom remote attendance) session, they provided us with a great overview presentation about fraud prevention, the OPP fraud unit and community safety services that have gone a step further by creating an in-person anti-fraud program. Particular attention was given to the red flags and preventative tips surrounding romantic fraud, emergency fraud, CRA fraud, bank fraud, spoofing and delayed disconnect fraud. The contents of the presentation along with a selection of photos may be found by goining to the "Read more ..." section and/or clicking on this link.
Both officers fielded several questions after which Gail Catherwood offered our appreciation for a most informative (yet scary!) presentation of a very real issue pervading our entire community - well done to Brad and Ed.
In the spring of 2022, the Ontario Provincial Police along with the Canadian Anti Fraud centre collaborated in response to the increasing reports of frauds and scams that were targeting Canadians. They developed a presentation to inform people of common scams as well as what to look for as indicators if the communication that they are receiving, whether text, phone call or email could potentially be a fraud. The Fighting Fraud presentation is a partnership with the OPP, including an Auxiliary member, and the Canadian Anti Fraud centre. Ed and Brad have completed over 15 of these presentations to local service clubs, churches, and senior’s centres; with more presentation dates confirmed for 2023.
FRAUD CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE
- Don’t be ashamed if you have become a victim
- Being a victim of a fraud is stressful – reach out for help
- STOP, CHALLENGE, PROTECT
Stop – take a moment and think
Challenge – reject, refuse or ignore
Protect – contact authorities
ROMANCE FRAUD
HOW IT WORKS:
- Offenders use social media/dating sites - create fake profiles.
- They develop relationships with victims
- Once they have gained your trust they will ask you to send money
RED FLAGS
- Profile too good to be true
- Individual professes love quickly and avoids meeting in person
- Claims to live close - but working overseas
- Wants private/different mode of communication
- Tries to isolate you from others
- TIPS
- Never send intimate photos/videos of yourself
- Ask specific questions - look for inconsistencies
- Never send/accept money
- Be suspicious if they always cancel plans to meet in person
EMERGENCY FRAUD
HOW IT WORKS:
- Offenders call - pretend to be your loved one in an emergency situation
- Another offender may claim to be police/lawyer representing your loved one.
- They will ask you to send money to help.
RED FLAGS
- Request payment by gift card, money transfer or Bitcoin
- Pressure to send payment by specific time
- Caller makes you feel rushed
- They ask you to keep this secret
TIPS
- Slow things down - verify the story
- Ask questions only your loved one would know
- Resist sharing identifying details
- Confirm whereabouts of family member or friend
- Never provide any personal/financial information over phone
CRA FRAUD
HOW IT WORKS:
- Offender calls claiming to be CRA employee
- Caller claims you have unpaid balances, owe back taxes or have a compromised social insurance number.
- Requests your personal information – threatens arrest if you don’t act immediately.
RED FLAGS
- Caller uses threatening or aggressive language
- Threatens to arrest or deport you
- Pressures you to make payment with a prepaid card, gift card or cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin
TIPS
- Never press ‘1’ to speak to an agent
- CRA never send links and ask for personal/financial information
- Never click on links in unsolicited communication
- Always locate legitimate CRA contact information – on your personal documents
BANK INVESTIGATOR FRAUD
HOW IT WORKS:
- Offender calls impersonating a bank official
- Asks for help with bank investigation – employee stealing money.
- They ask you to make a withdrawal from your account to help them
- You meet offender and deliver the cash.
RED FLAGS
- Financial institutions never ask for assistance with internal investigations
- Calls made early morning may catch you off guard
- Offender asks for remote access to your device
- Secrecy - you are told not to discuss with financial institution
TIPS
- Never provide personal information over the phone if you did not initiate the call
- Never give remote access to your device to callers who have called you
SPOOFING
HOW IT WORKS:
- Offender manipulates call display - tricks you into answering phone based on the number/name appearing.
- They may ‘spoof’ the number making it appear as a local call, a
specific organization or your own number.
DELAYED DISCONNECT
HOW IT WORKS:
- Offender asks you to end your current call and immediately call number on back of your card or another number they provide you.
- The original call never completely disconnects
- You end up speaking with the original caller again.
FINAL TIPS
- Hang up on unknown incoming calls or recorded messages
- Keep your personal information private
- If something seems suspicious, there is likely a good reason
- Don’t click on links in unsolicited emails, texts or on social media
REPORTING
Gather all information and report incident to:
- Your local police
- The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
- The financial institution or payment provider used to send money
- If fraud occurred online report to the website (i.e. dating website)
It is estimated fewer than 5% of fraud is reported
CANADIAN ANTI-FRAUD CENTRE
Report online through the Fraud Reporting Centre: antifraudcentre.ca
Report by phone: 1-888-495-8501
STOP, CHALLENGE, PROTECT
Stop – take a moment and think
Challenge – reject, refuse or ignore
Protect – contact authorities