ALERT – Police Warn Of Scam Artists!!

(Huron County, ON.) – The Western Region OPP Criminal Investigation Unit is warning citizens to always use extra caution when trying to purchase or negotiate any contract using the Internet. Recently in Elgin County a man wired over $10,000.00 to an account in Spain for a vehicle. Investigation revealed that the vehicle identification number provided (V.I.N.) belonged to an address in the U.S.A. Needless to say, the victim is now out the money and it is highly unlikely anyone will be held responsible.

With the Holiday season upon us, the scam artists, identity thieves and shady online merchants will be just as busy as the unsuspecting shoppers. OPP are reminding everyone to be extra careful with every purchase. Online thefts are very difficult to track down after the fact. “The most important thing consumers can do is to make sure they know who they are dealing with before any money changes hands,” says Inspector Cristilli.

One problem is that consumers have little control over what happens to personal information used when shopping online. Each transaction leaves an information trail that can be used by hackers and other unauthorized individuals to assemble financial and personal profiles on you if you are dealing with a company that does not have sufficient security protection. This information can be sold or stolen and used for criminal purposes. You have every right to feel vulnerable when your credit card number and other financial information go sailing into cyberspace.

There are a number of ways to protect yourself online. OPP strongly urge anyone thinking about becoming an online shopper to check out www.gov.on.ca website where you will find a number of valuable resources which will help to protect you while shopping for anything online.

Some Huron County residents have been receiving calls from an out-of-town company stating that they are in town for the day and are offering free duct cleaning that is being paid for by the Municipality of South Huron. This information is not correct and the municipality has no business arrangements with any duct cleaning companies. People receiving these calls should not agree to anything nor allow any strangers into their homes. If you required service to be done, contact a reputable company that you know.

The bottom line is that if something sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Never give your personal information to anyone by phone, over the internet or in writing unless you are completely satisfied they are who they say they are, and have a sound reputation.

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