Police warn of caller ID phone scams
Police say don’t trust your caller ID if York Regional Police calls you.
Investigators with the York Regional Police Major Fraud Unit are reminding citizens not to trust the information displayed on caller ID or the phone number displayed for incoming calls after reports of fraudulent calls with suspects claiming to be from York Regional Police.
In recent incidents, fraudsters have contacted victims by telephone and identified themselves as police officers.
The fraudster tells the victim to provide a monetary payment, cryptocurrency or financial information to prevent their assets from being seized or frozen.
In a statement released Thursday, York Regional Police said it does not make phone calls demanding money or detailed personal information. Any call or email of this nature should be considered a scam.
If you have concerns about possibly being involved in a police or criminal investigation, this should be discussed and confirmed directly with your local police service.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Police say a large number of frauds that occur over the phone involve the use of phone number spoofing. This involves the suspects using software programs or other technology to alter the caller ID to display false information. Suspects can make it appear as though a call is coming from any organization or business.
In most cases, they pose as government agencies, police services, the Canada Revenue Agency and other legal entities. People are encouraged to confirm to whom they are speaking through their own research. Never trust the information displayed on an incoming call.
York Regional Police is reminding people to be cautious and to confirm any suspicious calls or emails they receive before providing any information. If a situation feels suspicious, trust your instincts. Do not get talked into providing personal information or payments by methods that you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with, and call companies or agencies back to verify information.
If you have been a victim of fraud and have lost money, report the incident promptly to York Regional Police either online or by calling 1-866-876- 5423. To report frauds where no money has been lost, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or by calling 1-888-495-8501.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
NEW Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Toronto Maple Leafs fire head coach Sheldon Keefe
The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that Sheldon Keefe has been relieved as his duties as head coach.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.