The Upper Ottawa Valley (UOV) Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has issued a warning to residents about a new phishing scam that has recently appeared in the area.
The scam works by sending a message to your phone, claiming that you have an unpaid parking ticket. The message threatens that if you don’t click on the link provided, your vehicle could be impounded, your license could be suspended, or legal action could be taken. The OPP warns that this message is a scam and should not be trusted.
This type of scam, known as phishing, is used by criminals to trick people into providing personal information or clicking on links that lead to fraudulent websites designed to steal money or data.
The OPP has provided the following prevention tips to help residents avoid falling victim to such scams:
- Never click on links in unsolicited messages.
- Don’t download attachments from messages you weren’t expecting.
- Watch for spelling mistakes in messages, as they can be signs of fraud.
- Be cautious of emails that look legitimate but may be fake, as fraudsters can spoof email addresses.
- Be especially careful of messages claiming to be from the government or law enforcement, as scammers often use these trusted organizations to trick victims into sharing personal information or making payments.
For more information on how to protect yourself from phishing scams, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre offers helpful resources on their website at www.antifraudcentre.ca.
If you think you’ve fallen for this scam, contact your local police service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 (toll-free) or report the incident online at www.antifraudcentre.ca. Stay vigilant and protect yourself from fraud.
(Written by: Emma Butler)