Is that really the OPP calling? Or is it a scam?

Police warn scammers modify display systems to make calls look real

Criminals are using technology to trick people into thinking they’re calling from the Ontario Provincial Police.

OPP say the scammers can modify call-display systems to make it appear that the call is coming from police. They then try to gather personal information by pretending to be a police investigator.

Similar scams, known as “phishing,” have been reported that see the caller pretend to be a bank or government workers, again tricking their victims by making call display show that the call is coming from an official location.

The information they collect can be used to steal or defraud people, police warn.

In some cases, the caller claims to represent the Canada Revenue Agency and demands

“back payment” that isn’t actually owed. Another call from someone claiming to be the OPP includes a warning that police may arrest the person for non-payment.

“The public needs to be aware that police do not call and ask for personal information relating to banking information or your social insurance number nor do they collect money on behalf of the Canada Revenue Agency,” an OPP press release states. “Although everyone is at risk of falling victim to these scams, elderly people are among the most vulnerable.”

Anyone who receives these types of calls should hang up immediately, police say, and people are reminded to never give out personal information including driver’s licence or other identification numbers, passwords or financial information.

In 2018, the Canadian AntiFraud Centre received 59,009

fraud reports from victims and businesses, with total losses reported totalling $97,654,160.35.

In the Peterborough area alone, there were 290 complaints from people being targeted by scammers in 2018 and so the first half of 2019. Of those, 133 ultimately were victimized, losing a total of $610,785.73.

According to the CAFC, fewer than five per cent of fraud victims file a report.

To report a case of suspected phishing contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or p3tips.com.