Simcoe County victims conned out of thousands of dollars with gift card scams
Residents in Simcoe County are being warned of scams involving the purchase of gift cards.
The South Simcoe Police Service says it's investigating a series of recent frauds where victims in Bradford and Innisfil lost thousands of dollars due to these scammers.
Victims were instructed to purchase gift cards through phone calls and emails in an urgent manner.
"Several victims purchased gift cards with a total loss of over $10,000 after receiving requests in fake emails from employers and friends, "police said in a Friday press release.
"A victim purchased over $9,000 worth of gift cards after receiving a call from someone claiming to be from a financial institution regarding unauthorized activity on a credit card.
"Several victims lost a total of over $2,000 after starting what turned out to be fake, work-from-home jobs, and were instructed by the "employer" to purchase gift cards. "
AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM
Any requests to purchase gift cards through a phone call or email should be considered a red flag, police say.
Contact your bank or credit card company to verify the legitimacy of those reaching out asking you to purchase these cards.
Seek advice from friends, family or police, and never provide personal information, including your social insurance number or banking information.
Police say to hang up the phone if you didn't initiate the call and don't know the person on the other end.
Residents are asked to report fraud to the police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling toll-free 1-888-495-8501.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most wanted fugitive in Canada arrested in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
The most wanted fugitive in Canada was arrested in Charlottetown, P.E.I., Tuesday night.
Poilievre unrepentant over calling Trudeau 'wacko' as his MPs say Speaker should resign
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he does not regret calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko,' and now his MPs are renewing calls for the House of Commons Speaker to resign, this time over ordering the Official Opposition leader to leave the chamber.
How can I tell if I have norovirus? Expert explains symptoms
The highly contagious norovirus is spreading across Canada, with some symptoms overlapping with other viruses. CTVNews.ca spoke with a health expert to find out how you can tell you have norovirus, the most common form of stomach flu, and what to do if you have it.
Doctors dealing with at least 160 Canadians suffering eye damage possibly linked to looking at the eclipse
Nearly a month after the total solar eclipse, at least 160 cases of eye damage have been reported across the country.
Ontario's police watchdog continues probe of high-speed pursuit involving fatal crash
The investigation continues into a collision that killed two grandparents and their infant grandchild during a high-speed police chase on the wrong way of Highway 401 east of Toronto.
Stranded cruise passengers in Spain race to catch up with their ship
A month after eight Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were stranded in Africa when their ship left without them because they were late getting back, a U.S. couple – ages 84 and 81 – were also left behind by the cruise line in Spain.
Blair says he couldn't sell cabinet on meeting 'magical threshold' of NATO target
Defence Minister Bill Blair says he couldn't convince the Liberal cabinet that Canada's government needed to meet NATO's spending target in its recent defence policy update.
BREAKING London Drugs stores remain closed for 4th straight day after 'cybersecurity incident'
Dozens of London Drugs stores in Western Canada remained closed for the fourth straight day following a "cybersecurity incident."
No criminal charges after 4 newborn bodies found in Boston freezer
A prosecutor in Massachusetts won't seek criminal charges against anyone, two years after four newborns were found in a freezer in a South Boston apartment.