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Be aware of phone scam, say police

It's in response to a recent spate of calls being received locally
TimminsToday Staff
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NEWS RELEASE
TIMMINS POLICE SERVICE
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The Timmins Police Service is issuing a “Fraud Advisory” in regards to a recent spate of calls being received locally seeking personal information falsely representing the Canadian government or linked justice agency.

Here again and as always, unless you are the person who has initiated the phone call or internet conversation, the need for heightened suspicion as to the intent and legitimacy of purpose of the collection of such information is required.

The phone calls soliciting information by means of threat of arrest or other intimidation may very well display a local number being used. This does not in any way diminish the need to remain alert and on your guard as far as refraining from disclosing personal information.

Canadian arrest authorities are limited to specific circumstances.

In short, no person can be arrested, charged, sued or taken into custody for failing or refusing to disclose personal information over the phone or via the internet.

These fraudsters use menacing phrasing that is meant to intimidate the call recipient in order to harvest personal information that can only be used to further criminal intentions regarding a fraudulent act.

They do tend to prey on the naïve or less sophisticated individuals in a widespread fashion.

Should calls of this nature be received, the best course of action is to simply ignore the call, hang up, and report the matter to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center at 1-888-495-9501 or at https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm The Timmins Police Service is well aware of this recent and ongoing campaign and urge all recipients to follow the advice provided above.

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