Beware of a scam, impersonation of Ottawa Police and Ottawa Victim Services

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/beware-of-a-scam-impersonation-of-ottawa-police-and-ottawa-victim-services.aspx

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, August 20, 2024         8:51 am

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service Organized Fraud Unit is warning the public of a reported scam. 

Victims have received calls from persons pretending to be victim support workers from Ottawa Victim Services.

The fraudster typically tells the victim that their personal information has been compromised and appeared on the dark web relating to crimes against children. The victim is then instructed to attend their banking institution and transfer funds or offered help by the fraudster to transfer money out of their compromised accounts into the one that has been specially prepared for them.

To further complicate matters, the fraudster references a partnership with Ottawa Police Service investigators and the calls appear to be from a telephone number that belongs to Ottawa Victim Services (613-238-2762).

People are reminded that, should they receive unsolicited calls from a person requesting money or personal information, they should advise the person on the line that they will call them back. They should then verify the correct number for whatever agency is supposedly calling and call them back, as applicable.

It should be further noted that the actual Ottawa Police phone number (613-236-1222) as well as Ottawa Victim Services (613-238-2762) will not show up on your call display when you are receiving a legitimate call from either of them.

If you have been a victim of fraud, please make a report online with the Ottawa Police Service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by phone at 1-888-495-8501 (toll-free).

You can read more about scams and tips to protect yourself. You can also visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for information on popular scams and the Toronto Police Service for tips on how to protect yourself from scams

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Through the Community Safety Data portal data.ottawapolice.ca, members of the public can view, download, and interact with data released by the Ottawa Police Service.

'Bank investigator' fraud spreading in eastern Ontario: What it is and how to avoid it

 https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/bank-investigator-fraud-spreading-in-eastern-ontario-what-it-is-and-how-to-avoid-it-1.7012325

Ontario Provincial Police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre are warning people about fraudsters impersonating major Canadian banks.

The "bank investigator" scam involves someone calling and claiming to be from a bank, the police, or an online retailer, asking the target's help with an "ongoing investigation" into a breach of the victim's bank account.

Fraudsters will convince victims to send an Interac e-transfer transaction to their own cellphone number. The suspect will instruct the victim on the steps required to add themselves as a payee and to increase their daily Interac e-transfer limit.

The suspect provides the e-transfer question and answer that the victim must use for the transfer. Once the victim sends the Interac e-transfer transaction to their own cellphone number, suspects will ask the victim for a "code" which is the last portion of the Interac e-transfer URL/link received. If the victim provides the URL, suspects will have the ability to deposit the funds into their own account.

In some cases, the fraudster might request the target provide log-in information for their bank account, including two-factor authentication codes, as part of the "investigation", which then gives the scammer access to the victim's funds.

More variations of this scam can be found on the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre's website, including fraudsters even claiming to be the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre itself(opens in a new tab).

Ways to protect yourself

The OPP say to watch out for red flags when receiving phone calls from anyone demanding payment or access to financial information, even if it seems legitimate.

Oftentimes, the fraudster will spoof the phone number of the institution being impersonated, making the call appear legitimate. The scammer may also have access to some of the target's personal information like name, date of birth, address, or debit card number. Fraudsters will often provide the first 4 numbers of a debit or credit card to try and prove legitimacy. Remember that most debit and credit card numbers with specific financial institutions begin with the same four numbers.

Here are some more ways to protect yourself from falling victim to fraud: 

•  Financial institutions or online merchants will never request you to transfer funds to an external account.
•  Financial institutions or police will never request you to turn over your bank card nor attend your residence to pick up your bank card.
•  Never provide details of links or URLs received via email or text message to anyone, and never provide codes received via text or email, as these can provide fraudsters with access to your account.
•  If you get a call claiming to be from your financial institution, advise the caller that you will call them back. End the call and dial the number on the back of your bank or credit card from a different phone if possible or wait 10 minutes before making the outgoing call.
•  Never provide remote access to your computer or smart phone.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says calls from "bank investigator" fraudsters tend to happen early in the morning when a victim is still sleeping or not alert.

If you were a victim of this or any other type of scam, even if you didn't lose any money, you can report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online(opens in a new tab). It is also recommended you report it to your local police.

Fraud Unit warning residents to be vigilant with card skimming fraud involving taxis and Uber

 https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/fraud-unit-warning-residents-to-be-vigilant-with-card-skimming-fraud-involving-taxis-and-uber.aspx

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, August 12, 2024   1:48pm

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service Organized Fraud Unit is advising the public to be extra vigilant when being asked to pay for a service with a credit or bank card in exchange of money.

The Ottawa Police Service has recently received several complaints concerning people being defrauded after affording assistance in paying with their personal credit or bank card for a taxi or Uber fare.

In all incidents, a suspect approaches the victim in a shopping or strip mall parking lot asking them to pay for their cab fare explaining that the driver does not accept cash, and only takes credit or debit.

If the victim accepts, they are brought to the nearby taxicab to complete the transaction using their own credit/debit card.  The suspect then pays the victim with cash for the transaction.

In completing the transaction, the driver switches the victim’s credit/debit card for a false one and the Personal Identification number (PIN) is obtained surreptitiously. The victim’s card is then used to complete fraudulent transactions.

The Fraud Unit provides these safety tips: 

• Don’t accept to pay with your debit or credit card for someone else’s transaction even if you are offered monetary compensation, equivalent or superior to the original transaction amount.
• When making purchases, protect your PIN.
• Do not share your PIN with anyone.
• Choose a PIN that is not easy to guess – avoid birthdays and phone numbers, etc.
• Keep a close watch on your incoming bank and credit card statements.
• For more tips, click here.

Reports of fraud can be made by calling the Police Reporting Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 7300 or online.

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CONTACT:

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Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366