Members of the Northumberland OPP are warning residents after receiving several reports of fraud and attempted fraud in April involving impersonation scams, financial fraud, and remote access to personal devices.
Police are reminding the public that fraudsters will often exploit fear, urgency, and trust to pressure victims into sending money or personal information.
Bank Impersonation
A complainant reported losing funds after receiving a phone call from someone impersonating a representative of a major Canadian bank. The caller advised that suspicious charges had been made on the victim’s credit card and requested information to address the issue. It was later determined the call was fraudulent.
Police Impersonation
A resident reported receiving a call from someone claiming to be an officer from a neighboring police service. The caller alleged the resident’s son had been arrested for driving a vehicle containing drugs and demanded $5,000 in cash to prevent incarceration.
The suspect:
- Claimed there was a “gag order” preventing the victim from speaking to anyone else
- Refused to provide a badge number
- Directed the victim to prepare cash and await further instructions for a meet-up location
The OPP stress that police will never demand cash payments to resolve criminal matters.
Re-victimization Fraud
Another resident reported being contacted by individuals claiming to assist in recovering money lost in a previous fraud incident. The suspects advised they could return funds through a European bank, but only after the victim paid additional “taxes.”
Police advise this is a common tactic used to re-target previous fraud victims.
Government Impersonation Scam
Police were notified by a resident who believed they were dealing with a government or employment agency regarding lost wages. The victim was instructed to download a remote-access application onto their phone.
Once access was granted:
- The suspect altered banking information
- Money was withdrawn from the victim’s account
- The victim was locked out of online banking
- Personal information was deleted from the phone
Police also noted that the victim’s spouse began receiving an increase in spam calls following the incident.
Fraud Prevention Tips
The Northumberland OPP remind residents:
- Banks, police, and government agencies will never request cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or remote access to your device
- Do not download apps or software at the request of unsolicited callers
- Hang up immediately if a caller pressures you to act urgently or discourages you from speaking to others
- Verify independently by calling organizations using phone numbers found on official websites or statements and not numbers provided by callers
- Never share personal banking details, passwords, or one‑time security codes
Report Fraud
If you believe you have been targeted or victimized:
- Contact your local police
- Report fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1‑888‑495‑8501 or online at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
Police encourage residents to speak with family members, particularly seniors and vulnerable individuals, about common fraud tactics.
Northumberland OPP are committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities. Officers value your contribution to building safe communities.
