Ontario Provincial Police are warning residents about internet and email scams currently ongoing in the area.
The scam generally involves someone posing as a distressed family member asking for money.
The more commonly known version of the scam involves a phone call to a grandparent from someone impersonating a grandchild. The victim is told that their grandchildren are in trouble and are asked to send money.
A similar scam involves an email being sent out claiming a family member is in some form of trouble and needs money to get home. The scammer asks for money to be sent by Western Union or MoneyGram to a foreign country.
OPP have issued the following list to help people protect themselves:
- Beware of urgent requests for funds from known contacts claiming to be traveling abroad.
- Avoid logging into your accounts from untrusted computers.
- Create strong passwords and security questions and answers.
- Do your research; if this is someone you know you may be able to call them or other family members and friends to confirm their whereabouts.
- Never send money to a stranger, always check with someone you trust before you ever send money.
- If in doubt, contact your local police authority.