Over the last months, there has been 63 fraud incidents in Lambton County.
The Lambton OPP is reminding everyone to set up safeguards for yourself and loved ones.
Some ways to raise personal awareness are to Receive education through one of the many fraud awareness seminars available throughout the county.
Talking with loved ones or other trusted sources BEFORE sending money to strangers.
Discuss current scams and ‘red flags’.
Have a way to verify who you are speaking with.
Some fraud awareness seminars happening in the area are:
November 25, Knox Presbyterian Church – Main Street, Thedford,
December 1, New Life Assembly Church – Oozloffsky Street, Petrolia,
December 9, Forest Fair Grounds – Jefferson Street, Forest.
Talking with loved ones or other trusted sources BEFORE sending money to strangers. Simply running things past a family member, friend or even an employee at our financial institution can help to keep us safe from fraudsters
Discuss current scams and ‘red flags’ with loved ones who could be targeted. Fraudsters will typically push an ‘urgent’ situation and will often pretend to be some sort of authority figure (police or other government agency like the Canada Revenue Agency – CRA). Scammers are also very keen to ask the right questions to create a believable story: “Grandma, do you know who this is?” Grandma will typically respond with, “Is it you, Jamie?”. Without realizing it, you’ve provided enough details to make their story that much more believable.
Have a way to verify who you are speaking with, if over the phone. If you’re called by a ‘Police Department’, ask for the officer’s name and identification number and offer to call them back to speak further. Don’t utilize any phone numbers provided to you, instead, look up that department’s contact details online and confirm that the officer is currently employed by that agency.
Finally, government agencies such as police departments or the CRA will never request payment in the form of gift cards, prepaid credit cards or via western union. Do not provide card information for gift cards or personal credit cards, and do not send money.
For more information on fraud awareness, go to Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca). For information on upcoming fraud awareness presentations in Lambton County, check out Sarnia Lambton Elder Abuse Awareness Network online and on social media (Twitter and Facebook).
