Cobourg Police Service is issuing a fraud alert following two recent scams that resulted in residents being defrauded in a remote access scam and a gift card scam.
In one recent fraud report, a resident was defrauded approximately $8,000. The victim reported being contacted by an individual claiming to be from Bell, who said their account had been compromised. The scammer then took control of the victim’s computer remotely and transferred the funds to another account.
Additionally, there has been a report of a gift card scam where a resident was defrauded $3,000. In the reported scam, the victim was contacted over their tablet by a fraudster urging them to purchase gift cards and provide the card numbers and PINs.
Cobourg Police reminds residents to protect themselves from these types of scams.
• Always verify the caller’s identity by contacting the person or company directly using a known and
trusted phone number.
• Be wary of anyone asking you to purchase gift cards, especially if they claim to be from a legitimate
organization or a loved one in distress.
• Never share personal or financial information over the phone or online unless you are sure of the
recipient’s identity.
• Do not allow remote access to your computer unless you have initiated the contact and are certain of
the person’s identity.
• Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions.
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect you have been targeted by a scam, report it to your bank and
police immediately.
Report scams and frauds to police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or visit
www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website has a list of known scams and information about how to protect yourself.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
