Police forces across Canada have dubbed March “Fraud Prevention Month”.
“We should be aware of this every month,” remarks OPP Constable Michelle Simard. She notes the explosion of fraud being perpetrated on the internet and by phone, with fraudsters asking for personal information like your social insurance number and banking details.
“They target the vulnerable and they’re calling at times of the day or evening where people might be busy and they’re just ‘yeah, yeah, I’ll give you that information,’” Simard explains, “or older people who don’t really know what they should and shouldn’t be giving.
“Just keep in mind that a bank is never going to call you and ask you for your Visa number, they already know that. The government never calls and asks for your social insurance number. They’re going to send you a letter.”
Simard adds that no legitimate agency or business demands payment in gift cards or reloadable cash cards.
