(WEST PARRY SOUND, ON) – On Friday December 6, 2013 a Parry Sound couple attended the West Parry Sound Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment to report a potential fraud.
The couple received a phone call at their residence promoting protection for their home computer. At the time, they were having many issues with viruses on their computer. The call starts with an employee of a company explaining the services the company can provide. A supervisor comes on the line and gives the couple the cost of the service which needs to be paid up front. The couple explained that they do not use on-line banking and they will not provide credit card information over the phone. The supervisor sets up a time and location in Parry Sound for the couple to give the company cash in order to receive the protection service for the computer. The supervisor didn’t stop the calls once the couple refused to meet with them. The supervisor called several more times pushing the couple to pay for a service they hadn’t received.
This couple did not attend the planned location and no money was given.
In this case, a fraud did not take place. The couple followed the right path to keep themselves safe from a potential computer/phone scam.
Be extra cautious when you receive an unsolicited call and when the caller requests personal information or credit card information.
It’s not always easy to spot a scam especially since new ones are invented every day. You can report a potential scam by going to www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or by calling the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. If you have become a victim of a fraud or scam, contact the local police immediately to report the crime. If your credit cards or bank accounts are involved, notify them as soon as you can so they can assist you.