York Regional Police is reminding citizens not to trust the information displayed on caller ID or the phone number displayed for incoming calls after reports of fraudulent calls with suspects claiming to be from the Newmarket courts or the Crown attorney’s office.
In recent incidents, fraudsters have contacted victims by telephone and identified themselves as a Crown attorney or judge from the Newmarket courts, police said in a news release.
The fraudster tells the victim to provide a monetary payment or financial information to avoid having their assets seized or frozen.
Neither the Ontario Court of Justice nor Crown attorney’s office make phone calls demanding money or detailed personal information, police said.
Any call or email of this nature should be considered a scam. If you have concerns about the possibility of being involved in a police or criminal investigation, this should be discussed and confirmed directly with your local police service.
A large number of frauds that occur over the phone involve the use of phone number spoofing. This involves the suspects utilizing software programs or other technology to alter the caller ID to display false information, police said.
Suspects can make it appear as though a call is coming from any organization or business. In most cases, they pose as government agencies, police services, the Canada Revenue Agency and other legal entities. Citizens are encouraged to confirm who they are speaking to through their own research and never trust the information displayed on an incoming call.
York Regional Police is reminding citizens to be cautious and to confirm any suspicious calls or emails they receive before providing any information.
"If a situation feels suspicious, trust your instincts. Do not be talked into providing personal information or payments by methods that you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with and call companies or agencies back to verify information."
If you have been a victim of a fraud and have lost money, report the incident promptly to York Regional Police either online at www.yrp.ca/en/online-reporting/Report-a-Crime.asp or by calling 1-866-876-5423. To report frauds where no money has been lost, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or by calling 1-888-495-8501.
