Police are warning the public of an ongoing fraud in which a person claiming to be from Service Ontario may get in touch by phone or email.

The caller claims the person’s SIN number has been compromised and “used in fraudulent criminal activity.”

The caller asks the victim for the local police number. A short time a person claiming to be from police calls back continuing the story of the fraudulent activity and advises the victim to deposit money to a specific Bitcoin ATM.

Police say the scammers are able to spoof the police phone number on the victim’s caller ID telephone. Many of those targeted are seniors or the vulnerable.

“Toronto Police Service is reminding the public to be vigilant, especially in these times of uncertainty,” detectives said in a statement. “Government agencies will not ask the public to deposit money using Bitcoin machines.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.222tips.com