Scam Alert

(HURON COUNTY, ON) – A resident from South Huron contacted Huron OPP on March 14, 2012 to report a scam. The intended victim reported he had received a letter in the mail from a company based out of Spain. The scammer informed the intended victim that he had inherited more than 10 million euros from a deceased relative in Spain. The scammer then requested personal information from the intended victim. The intended victim recognized the ploy as a common scam and did not respond to the request.

Also, a resident from Huron East reported to police that she received several phone calls over the last two weeks from persons purporting to be representatives from Publisher’s Clearing House and Reader’s Digest. They made repeated requests for her to wire $268 via Western Union to receive a prize of $100,000. She recognized this to be a scam and reported the matter to police. Acting Inspector Scott JAMES from the OPP Anti-Rackets Branch states, “If you are suspicious about the caller or the circumstances of the request being made for your money, protect yourself…..hang up the phone! And then report the crime!”

Once communication is established, the scammer will request further information including banking information. Scammers will often request you pay an upfront fee to have a large sum of money transferred to you. This is known as the “Advance Fee” scam. Do not wire money to strangers to receive a prize or an inheritance.

To learn more about common frauds and how to report a fraud you can contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre.ca or 1-888-495-8501

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