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Police issue advisory after reports of fraudulent phone campaign

'Residents are reminded that this campaign is likely fraudulent in nature'
2020-08-20 Timmins Police Cruiser

NEWS RELEASE
TIMMINS POLICE SERVICE
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The Timmins Police Service is issuing a public safety advisory in relation to a possible fraudulent phone fraud campaign made by persons falsely representing local utility providers or home heating maintenance crews.

The Timmins Police is in receipt of a complaint alleging a phishing phone fraud campaign that appears to be underway in the Timmins area.

According to the nature of the complaint, unsolicited calls are received where the caller holds himself out to be a representative of a local service provider and makes false claims about being able to complete furnace maintenance.

These fraudsters are convincing and insistent that your home heating equipment may fail if they are not allowed to attend your residence to provide some measure of maintenance.

Residents are reminded that this campaign is likely fraudulent in nature.

While regular maintenance of home heating devices is certainly recommended, random solicitations may very well be from unaccredited, uncertified or otherwise fraudulent operators who are preying on consumer fear or naivete.

Details about any such calls should be forwarded directly to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or at https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm

Should anyone receive such a call, the Timmins Police Service recommend simply hanging up and contacting your preferred service utility provider by phone or online to make necessary repairs or complete necessary maintenance.

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