MUNICIPALITY OF WEST PERTH, ON) On Tuesday September 14, 2010 at approximately 6:30 p.m. a West Perth resident received a phone call from an unidentified male who wanted to discuss a government grant package. The smooth talking male who asked very “open ended†questions started to gain the trust of the resident and as a result was able to obtain some personal information. From the casual conversation the resident began to wonder if she may have requested a government grant package. The caller said that he would require the resident’s credit card or banking information to cover the $3 postage cost. The resident did not feel comfortable doing this and asked for the package to be sent COD which the caller refused to do. When the resident asked for the callers name, a reference number or information about the government department, the caller advised that he would only supply this if credit card or banking information was provided. The resident ultimately did not provide this information but instead contacted the police.
The Perth County OPP want to remind the public never to give any personal information such a birth date, credit card information, SIN numbers or any bank account details over the phone, through the mail, or over the internet, unless you have initiated the call and know that the agency or business you are dealing with is reputable.
For more information on scams and frauds visit “The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre†(formerly Phone Busters) at www.phonebusters.com or call them at 1 (888) 495-8501