(SOUTHERN BRUCE COUNTY, ON) – The South Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding residents to be on the lookout for cons and scams following a report of $1,350 lost to the Microsoft scam from a resident in the Municipality of Kincardine.
The Microsoft scam has been operating for a long time and continues to operate because it makes money. This scam involves unsolicited contact from a “computer repair tech” that has noticed a problem with your computer that can be fixed “for a fee”. The key is unsolicited – unsolicited means that you didn’t ask for it. If you feel that your computer needs service contact a reputable computer repair service, don’t trust the stranger on the phone.
Cons and scams are attempted daily, but the con artists can’t win if you don’t let them. Tech savvy con artists dream up convincing scams and look for someone vulnerable, (“easy target”). March is fraud prevention month which is a great time to make yourself a “hard target”.
Anyone interested in more information on fraud can contact the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre at 1 888 495 8501 or check online at http://www.antifraudcentre.ca/.
The South Bruce OPP is requesting anyone with information that can assist police to call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web-tip at www.crimestoppersgb.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.