This page provides information on various frauds and scams that have been and may still be active in Smiths Falls. This information is meant only as a helpful resource and details of each fraud or scam may vary or completely change from one incident to the next.
For more a comprehensive list of Frauds and Scams, see the below resource links from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the Government of Canada's little black book of scams.
Fraudsters use various approaches in their attempts to deceive a victim. Here is a list of examples known to our community:
- Area Code Scam
Area code scam’s that coax phone owners into making very expensive long distance phone calls are resurfacing and now targeting cell phone owners as well. Smiths Falls police have taken a few recent reports. - Big Brother/Big Sisters Phone Scam
The caller claims to be collecting for Big Brothers and Big Sisters (BBBS) on behalf of the Smiths Falls Police Service. Smiths Falls Police and BBBS are not engage in a telephone fund raising effort and BBBS has informed police as a practice they do not cold call for donations. - Phone Computer Tech Scam
This phone scam usually involves calls from scammers claiming to be from Microsoft or other PC companies. The scammer attempts to hack the victims computer by claiming that someone has already done this. - Family Phone Scam
This phone scam usually targets elderly citizens and involves the scammer trying to convince the victim they are a relative in need of money for bail. - Magazine Fraud
Smiths Falls Police would like to warn citizens and businesses regarding an alleged magazine fraud. Complainant’s report being solicited by phone to advertise in a “Police News” magazine. However, the advertisement and the publication is not what they expected. Also, the magazine has no confirmed affiliation with a Police Service. Citizens and businesses should take care and research anything before signing up for phone and/or door-to-door solicitation of products and services. - Tax Time Frauds
Tax time provides fraudsters with the opportunity to scam people. The Canadian Anti-fraud Centre has received numerous reports in regards to tax frauds. - Prize Claim Scam
Scammers are sending letters, calling and using email to trick victims into paying fees for prizes they will never receive. For more information, read Prize Claim Scam. - OLG Scam
Residents of Smiths Falls are being contacted by individuals claiming to represent Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, OLG with claims of big prizes. The caller asked for a $500 gift card in return for the prize winnings. OLG WILL NOT call prize winners and WILL NOT ask for money or gift cards to claim a prize!
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