Some Northwestern Ontario residents have fallen victim to scam artists.
OPP report seven incidents over the summer months with three people losing money.
A 64-year-old was bilked $47-thousand in a credit card scheme.
A 76-year-old lost $15-thousand in another case while an 84-year-old was scammed out of $60-thousand.
Fort Frances Detachment Commander Inspector Nathan Schmidt is concerned some people aren’t heading their warnings.
“Some people get so caught up in the moment. One in particular where even after the banks had cut this person off, they decide to go across the river and try to send the money because nobody would take their money here to send,” says Schmidt.
OPP have now assigned an officer to work on an education campaign. Sgt. Derek MacLean says it will include working with local financial institutions on how to prevent people from losing their money.
“Banks can readily identify some of their clientele that may be subject to this and come together and hopefully try and provide some education and prevention,” says MacLean.
Three other cases were reported to OPP this summer. None of them lost money.
Schmidt says while it is seniors targeted in most cases, scammers will hit anyone at any age. One of the intended victims this summer was a 42-year-old. That person did not lose money.
Schmidt says when it comes to scams, the hopes of recouping one’s losses are minimal.
“Very difficult to investigate and very difficult to ever consider getting any money back. It just doesn’t happen,” says Schmidt.
If you have sent money to someone and you believe you are the victim of fraud please contact OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
If you have information regarding a fraud and you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
You can also visit www.antifraudcentre.ca to learn more about what scams are happening now; how you can be protecting yourself against these scams; and what to do next if you believe you have been the victim of a scam.
