Police are warning of some tried and tested online scams this Crime Prevention Week.
Ontario’s annual Crime Prevention Week takes place from November 5 to 11 and police are warning residents of some classic e-mail and phone scams that some residents are falling for.
This year’s weeklong promotion theme is Awareness, Engagement and Prevention, which is supported by the Ministry of the Solicitor General and police services across Ontario.
Police are warning South Etobicoke residents to be wary of the never ending e-mail and phone scams that are making the rounds again these days.
Residents are contacted out of the blue by an online scammer in the inheritance scam, in which the thief poses as a lawyer or bank official claiming that you have been left a large inheritance from a distant relative.
The e-mail letter uses official-type language and is written on letterhead or may contain logos. Police said to look out for spelling mistakes or bad grammar.
The receiver is asked to provide bank account documents and copies of identity documents as verification.
If you respond, the scammer may request that you to pay a series of fees; like a Customs fee, charges or taxes to release the inheritance money. Fees may be small amounts initially, but you will be asked to make more and larger payments.
Police said to ignore the letters and do not send your personal information to anyone.
In a private data scam, the extortionists claim they have planted malware in your computer system and have all your personal information and can spy on what you are doing through your computer camera.
The scammers claim to have your password, personal bank accounts and video of the user ‘satisfying yourself.’
They threaten to post your information and alleged incriminating video on social media, the dark web and send it to those on your contact list.
The scammers warn the only way they can be stopped is if the user send them $1,800 in bitcoin payments.
They provide a bitcoin account number, which is part of the fraud, and warn they will give you two days to pay up or they will post or circulate your data.
The online extortionists claim if you pay all the information will be removed and ‘you can life your live in peace as before.’
Private data scam letter. Call Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre if you receive one of these.
In the lottery fraud, a telephone caller will claim that you won a large sum in a foreign lottery and have to pay a Customs fee to have the money sent to you.
Do not respond, police warn, since the scammer will take your funds and disappear.
Police said you can report the scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501.