5 scams sweeping Ontario this October

Every day, increasingly clever scams prey on people facing financial difficulties, luring them with offers that sound too good to be true. From fake job opportunities to counterfeit concert tickets, scammers are constantly evolving their tactics to deceive and exploit the vulnerable.

Here are six scams making the rounds in October along with tips from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and police to help residents stay alert and safeguard themselves:

Police officer impersonation scam

The scam involved a person pretending to be a police officer from another country, often claiming to be part of a law enforcement agency such as Interpol or a municipal police force. Scammers typically target foreign nationals, using threats of arrest or legal trouble unless money is paid. They may present fake identification and official-looking documents to convince the victim to transfer funds.

What you should do: 

• Be cautious of unsolicited calls claiming a relative has been arrested or is in trouble.
• Verify the caller’s story by contacting the family member directly through a number you recognize, or by checking with other relatives.
• Ask specific questions that only your relative would know to identify any inconsistencies in the scammer’s claims.
• Confirm the identity of any law enforcement official by independently contacting the police agency.
• Never send money or personal information without thoroughly verifying the legitimacy of the situation.

Grandson arrested scam

In another police officer impersonation scam, fraudsters claim to be law enforcement, telling the victim that their grandchild has been arrested and requires bail money.

The scam preys on the fear and urgency of the situation, convincing victims to send large sums of money for their relative’s release.

In a recent incident an Ontario grandfather was scammed out of $6,000, with the fraudsters later demanding an additional $7,000.

What you should do: 

• Be cautious of unsolicited calls claiming a relative has been arrested or is in trouble.
• Verify the caller’s story by contacting the family member directly through a number you recognize, or by checking with other relatives.
• Ask specific questions that only your relative would know to identify any inconsistencies in the scammer’s claims.
• Confirm the identity of any law enforcement official by independently contacting the police agency.
• Never send money or personal information without thoroughly verifying the legitimacy of the situation.

If you suspect you’ve been targeted by such a scam, report it to your local authorities immediately to help prevent further fraud.

Luxury car salesman scam

Fraudsters will  pose as legitimate car salesmen or dealerships, advertising luxury vehicles for sale on social media platforms. They lure victims by offering high-end cars and collecting deposits but never delivering the vehicles. In some cases, scammers go so far as to impersonate salespeople at actual dealerships to further deceive victims. Once they receive the money, they vanish, refusing to return the funds or follow through on the deal.

What you should do:

• Be cautious when purchasing vehicles online, especially from unknown sellers.
• Avoid paying deposits or prepaying for vehicles before inspecting them in person.
• Verify the legitimacy of the dealer by checking with local regulators or authorities.
• Always inspect the vehicle or hire a professional appraiser before finalizing a deal.
• Purchase your own vehicle history report and avoid relying on one provided by the seller.
• Never wire money or provide credit card information without thorough verification.
• Be wary of sellers pushing for a quick transaction.

If you suspect a scam, report it to local authorities immediately.

Shopping website spoof scam 

Fraudsters will create fake websites mimicking well-known businesses like Amazon, complete with branding and domains that closely resemble the legitimate site. These fake websites offer “too-good-to-be-true” deals, particularly during major sales like Prime Day, to trick consumers into sharing personal or financial information. Scammers also send phishing emails designed to look like official Amazon communications, offering special discounts or claiming there are issues with an account. Additionally, some schemes involve unsolicited phone calls where fraudsters impersonate Amazon representatives, requesting urgent payment information to resolve fake account issues.

What you should do according to Check Point (a cyber security solutions company):

• Verify website authenticity: Double-check URLs for any inconsistencies or slight changes from the official site. Look for “https” to ensure a secure connection.
• Avoid clicking on unsolicited links: Whether in emails or on social media, don’t click on links unless you’re certain they lead to the official Amazon site.
• Be cautious with personal information: Never provide sensitive information like your social security number or birthday in response to an unsolicited message or call.
• Use credit cards for purchases: Credit cards offer better fraud protection and less liability in case of unauthorized use compared to debit cards.
• Strengthen account security: Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication where possible.

If you suspect you’ve been targeted, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or local law enforcement.

Concert ticket scams 

As Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated six-show run at Toronto’s Rogers Centre in November approaches, Ticketmaster is enforcing new rules around ticket transfers in response to a surge in reported scams. With the concerts expected to sell out, many fans are still searching for tickets, making them vulnerable to scammers.

In a recent incident, scammers reportedly hacked into Ticketmaster accounts and transferred valuable concert tickets, including those for Taylor Swift’s Toronto shows, without the ticket holders’ consent. These stolen tickets were then resold to unsuspecting buyers.

In response, Ticketmaster implemented a new rule, limiting ticket transfers to 72 hours before the event to prevent unauthorized transfers and protect consumers.

In addition to this, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says that scammers will also attempt to steal personal information such as bank account details or Social Insurance Numbers (SIN) by tricking individuals into clicking on fraudulent links. These deceptive messages often lead to fake websites where victims are asked to verify their identity by entering personal details, including home addresses and passwords.

The Canadian government, on its website, offers safety precautions to residents to protect themselves and their devices against smishing/phishing scams:

• If uncertain about the authenticity of a text, verify with the sender using an alternative method such as the phone number listed on the business’ official website.
• Avoid clicking on suspicious links or responding to questionable texts. Instead, manually type the web address into a browser when possible.
• If you suspect a smishing attempt, delete the message and block the number. Refrain from responding, even if the text instructs you to text “STOP” or “NO” to halt messages. Responding may confirm to the spammer that your phone number is active, leading to more smishing attempts.
• Forward any spam text messages to 7726 (SPAM on most keypads). This action notifies your phone provider, allowing them to block future texts from that specific number.