OPP are warning the public about a scam targeting people who turn to social media to find a lost pet.
On August 31st, a pet owner in Wellington County shared a photo on social media and other websites in an effort to find their recently lost cat. The resident received an email from an unfamiliar email address, advising them that their cat had been found. The message included a demand for $250 for the cat to be returned. The fraudster included a copy of the original photo but it appeared to be digitally altered in the attempt to convince the pet owner that they were in possession of the cat. The resident found this suspicious and called the police before sending any money. While police were present and speaking with the resident, the lost cat thankfully returned home.
OPP encourages the public to stay alert and educated to reduce the risk of being a victim of fraud. If you receive an unsolicited email, phone call or message asking for personal information (name, birthday, address, phone number, bank information, SIN number) or payment via gift cards for a product, do not provide any personal information. End the call immediately and block the phone number or email address.
Warning signs to look out for when receiving unsolicited messages include:
Emails, text-messages or phone calls sent at odd times of the night
Creating a false sense of urgency
Spelling errors
Lack of punctuation or capitals in sentences
Automated messages
Random links or attachments
Generic business or company name
For more information on scams and frauds, the public is encouraged to read The Little Black Book of Scams online.
If you are the recipient of a fraudulent call, text, or email, or if you have been a victim of a fraud, you are encouraged to report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501 or visit http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.
