Ontario Provincial Police are warning residents about a growing scam where fraudsters impersonate officers and pressure victims to hand over money.
The OPP say the scam is similar to past bank investigator frauds, but now includes callers claiming to be OPP officers, sometimes using their real names.
Bill Dickson with the OPP says the goal is to create panic.
Victims are often told to withdraw cash or deposit money into cryptocurrency machines. Dickson says those demands are a major red flag.
He adds scammers rely on urgency and fear to stop people from thinking clearly.
The OPP urges residents to hang up and verify calls independently.
More information is available through the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.