The Halton Regional Police Service - Financial Crimes Unit investigates frauds such as:
Seniors Crime Prevention |
It is estimated that by the year 2026, more than 130,000 people over the age of 65 will reside in Halton, the majority of whom will be living on their own or with family. Although Halton is the safest regional municipality in Canada in which to live and work, some older adults will find themselves the targets and/or victims of crime. The most common types of crime against seniors are:
Property CrimeProperty crimes make up nine out of 10 of crimes against older adults. It is defined as any crime where money and/or valuables are damaged or stolen from a person, home or business without direct personal contact with the victim. Property crimes against older adults can include:
Victims of property crime suffer financial losses and may feel violated. In some cases, victims continue to feel unsafe long after the crime has been committed. Prevent Property Crime In The Home
Prevent Theft While Shopping: Before leaving your home to go shopping, remove any items you will not use from your wallet and/or purse. This way, if a theft occurs, a criminal will obtain less information from you. Store all purchases in the trunk of your car to deter criminals from breaking in. Your car is safer if it appears empty. When walking through shopping centres, keep all purchases, purses and wallets in front of your body to reduce opportunities for theft. Prevent Auto Theft
Additional Tips
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Grandson Scam |
The Halton Regional Police Service and other police services frequently investigate fraudulent acts committed against seniors. The focus of this information will be on what is known as the “Grandson Scam”. How It WorksThe scam occurs over the telephone and targets the elderly.
Tips to Avoid Becoming a “Grandson Scam” VictimPolice ask that you consider the following:
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Romance Scam |
On a real dating site, a scammer might send you messages and a good-looking photo of themselves or of someone they claim to be. They form a relationship with you and make you believe that feelings are mutual. Once you are charmed, they will start asking you to send money. They may claim to have a very sick family member or a desperate situation with which they need your help. Once you give them money they will often disappear or keep requiring more money. Fraudsters can also create fake dating sites where you pay for every message you send and receive. To keep you writing back and paying, the scammer may hook you in with vague emails about their love and desire for you. In many cases, the scammer may even arrange to meet up with you in person to make their fraud seem more credible. Tips to Avoid Becoming a “Romance Scam” Victim
Always protect your money first. Remember to never send Google Play Cards and/or Bitcoin. |
Bitcoin Scams |
How the Scams Work: Scammers will contact you and state that there is some sort of problem or emergency and that they require you to send them a payment using Bitcoin. The people running these scams request these payments in Bitcoin to hide their true identity and make it harder to recover the funds. Common scams can include:
The Canada Revenue Agency, Immigration Canada, the Police, or Canadian Government will NEVER ASK FOR BITCOIN as payment. PROTECT YOURSELF: Never send money to someone you have not met in person. If you suspect you are being scammed, HANG UP THE PHONE and contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or Halton Regional Police Service Financial Crimes Unit at 905-465-8741 (Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.). |
Bank Investigator Scam |
Fraudsters call consumers claiming to be a financial institution or a major credit card provider. The fraudsters then inform the consumer that they are investigating unauthorized activity on their account. The fraudsters ask the consumer to help them catch the criminal. By gaining remote access to the consumer’s device or computer, the fraudsters will claim to put money into the victim’s account so that they can send bait money. Unfortunately, the funds seen going into the victim’s account are actually coming from their other accounts and the money being sent is going directly to the fraudsters. Warning Signs - How to Protect Yourself
If you have been the victim of fraud, please call the Halton Regional Police Service non-emergency line at 905-825-4777, the Fraud Intake Office at 905-465-8741 or contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. Learn more on the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s website: https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca. |
Frauds and Scams |
Regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, race and/or marital status, confidence (‘con’) artists share a few things in common. They all offer deals to help you, get you something you need for ‘half price’ or even make you rich. All are linked by a common knowledge of human nature and are adept at exploiting it to their advantage. While each con game is unique, the Halton Regional Police Service Financial Crimes Unit has identified a few common types of cons/swindles: false lotteries, fake charities, bogus contests and vacation deals, inheritance scams, credit and debit card fraud, and identity theft. How They Get Your InformationCriminals have many sources. They might steal your wallet or personal documents left in your vehicle. They may also pilfer from mailboxes and rifle through recycling bins. Some companies have been known to make a profit by selling your information (address, name, phone number, etc.). Criminals have been known to use false names to avoid capture by the authorities. Often, by the time someone realizes they have been a victim of fraud, the criminals have moved on to another identity or con, making them even more difficult to track. Debit Card FraudBy taking the following simple precautions, you can help protect yourself from this increasingly common type of fraud:
Credit Card FraudAs credit card use on the Internet increases, so too do incidents of credit card fraud.
While these tips may seem basic, credit card companies report that few people actually take these simple precautions. Internet Over-Payment FraudIn this type of fraud, a seller posts an item(s) for sale online. A buyer contacts the seller and arrangements are made to purchase the product. The buyer then sends the seller a cashier’s cheque or money order for an amount greater than the price of the merchandise. From here, the buyer directs the seller to cash the cheque and wire the excess funds to either the buyer or a third party. The seller, believing the cheque to be genuine, deposits it and then wires the amount of the overpayment as directed. It is usually after the funds have been wired that the cashier’s cheque or money order is returned as countfeit. The bank then holds the seller responsible for the amount of the fraudulent cheque, leaving the seller defrauded of both the money and the product.
Lottery ScamsThe primary thing to say to yourself when contacted by someone who tells you that you are the big winner or have the chance of a lifetime is: If it sounds too good to be true, chances are, it is. If you have legitimately won a lottery, you will never have to pay anything to receive your windfall. Be very cautious when being told you have won a contest you cannot recall entering. Your name may be on a list that has been sold. |
Debit Card Fraud |
Always protect your banking Personal Identification Number (PIN). By taking the following precautions, you can help protect yourself from this increasingly common type of fraud. Protect yourself from “shoulder surfers” and Distraction thefts
Take the Following Steps
If you have been the victim of fraud, please call the Halton Regional Police Service non-emergency line at 905-825-4777 or call the Fraud intake line at 905-465-8741. |
Identity Theft |
Identity theft occurs when someone obtains and uses another individual’s personal data in a way that involves theft or deception. Stealing or hijacking the identity of another person provides an effective means for criminals to commit fraud, impersonation and other crimes. By getting this information from you:
Thieves can:
Potential TargetsEveryone is vulnerable, simply as a result of going about normal, everyday activities. Thieves’ success at stealing your identity depends on their ability to obtain your information and their knowledge of how to use it illegally. How Thieves get your Information
What Happens with Stolen Information?Identity Takeovers: Someone appropriates your personal information without your knowledge. Identification Factories: Places where thieves manipulate and alter real identification information. Advances in computer technology and in photocopiers have made it easier for thieves to steal information and create identities, while making high-quality forged identifications harder to detect. These factories create IDs, such as credit cards, driver’s licences and currency. If your Identity is Stolen
Additional Tips
Did you KnowThe street values of everyday pieces of personal identification: Social Insurance Cards: $50 Driver’s Licences: $200 Expired Driver’s Licences: $50 Citizenship Cards: $100 - $150 Passports: $2,000 Identity Theft Form:A form to quickly notify financial institutions, credit card issuers and other companies that you have been a victim of identity theft is available online. Find it at https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/. |
Money Transfer Fraud |
Money transfer scams are on the rise. Be very careful when someone offers you money to help transfer funds. Once you send money to someone, it can be very difficult - if not impossible - to get it back. The following information is provided courtesy of the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. What to Look for:Money transfer scams have been on the rise in Canada since the 1990s. Although many of these scams originated in Nigeria, similar scams have originated all over the world - particularly in parts of West Africa and Asia. These scams are increasingly referred to as advance fee fraud. How it Works:
A Variation of this Scam is the Inheritance Scam.
Another Variation is the Over Payment Scam.
Protect Yourself
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Online Safety |
Smart online usage means taking steps to avoid falling victim to online fraud, which occurs when criminals try to obtain your personal information, such as credit card and account numbers, get you to pay for items that are either non-existent or misrepresented to you and/or steal your identity. It may also include infecting your computer with a virus. The Halton Regional Police Service offers the following safety tips to help keep you and your family safe. E-mails
Online Passwords
E-Commerce
Viruses and Malware
FirewallsA firewall filters information transmitted through your Internet connection into your computer, permitting communication only with sources you know and trust. It helps prevent unauthorized access, protecting your home network and family from potential hackers and offensive websites.
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Protect your Privacy |
Protecting your personal privacy is of vital importance in an age where incidents of identity theft are on the rise. The following tips are designed to help you avoid becoming a victim of privacy crime. Documents and Mail
Identification, Credit and Credit Cards
Passwords
Miscellaneous
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Protect your Purse |
It takes only seconds for a thief to steal your wallet or purse and a moment’s distraction can cause you weeks of stress. Follow our safety tips to reduce the chance or your property becoming a target. Protect Your Purse
To report a stolen purse or wallet, contact the Halton Regional Police Service at 905-825-4777. You can also file an online report at haltonpolice.ca. Remember to inform your bank and credit card company of all lost or stolen cards and if your cellphone is stolen, contact your service provider. |
To request an Older Adult Crime Prevention brochure, please email corpcomm@haltonpolice.ca
Frequently Asked Questions
I think someone tried to scam me, but it didn't work. Do I need to report it to police? |
If you have received a fraudulent phone call/email/communication and have not provided any personal information or lost any money, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 to file a report for statistical purposes. |
I'm a victim of fraud. What should I do? |
If you're a victim of fraud and have provided personal information and/or lost money:
The HRPS does not accept fraud reports through online reporting or via email. |
How do I protect myself from future fraud? |
Scammers often target victims of fraud a second or third time with the promise of recovering money. Always do your due diligence and never send recovery money. Share any updates with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, your financial institutions, and police. Tell family, friends, neighbours, and co-workers about your experience. You may prevent someone else from becoming a victim. |
Additional Resources
For other resources or reporting options, please visit the websites listed below.