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
Trudeau confirms Rota meeting with House reps, cites need to 'ensure dignity' of Parliament
House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota will be meeting with the House leaders of all parties today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has confirmed, telling reporters that he's sure 'they'll have very important conversations.' The meeting comes amid acrimony over Rota's recognition of a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War.
Poster advertising 'whites-only' children's playtime sparks outrage in B.C. community
Police have launched an investigation into a poster inviting "proud parents of European children" to participate in racially segregated playtime in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.
Developer says it's moving to build 5,000 rental units because of Liberals' GST break
A Toronto-based real estate company says it is planning to build 5,000 new rental units in urban centres across the country as a result of the federal government's decision to eliminate GST charges on rental developments.
No new oil, coal projects needed as fossil fuel demand to peak this decade: IEA
Even if no new government climate policies are introduced before 2030, global demand for fossil fuels will still peak before the end of the decade, a new report by the International Energy Agency states.
Arguments set to begin in Peter Nygard sex-assault case in Toronto
Arguments in the Toronto sexual-assault case against former Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard are expected to begin today.
These are the 5 headlines you should read this morning
House Speaker Anthony Rota is facing calls to resign, U.K. police announce an investigation into Russell Brand, and a new report says the world doesn't need any new oil and gas projects.
Canadian air force investigating 'inappropriate and unapproved' call sign broadcast on U.K. flight
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is investigating an ‘inappropriate and unapproved’ call sign that was transmitted electronically from one of its aircraft on Monday.
Spain charges pop singer Shakira with tax evasion for a second time and demands more than US$7 million
Spanish prosecutors have charged pop star Shakira with failing to pay 6.7 million euros in tax on her 2018 income, authorities said Tuesday, in Spain's latest fiscal allegations against the Colombian singer.
David McCallum, star of hit TV series 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' and 'NCIS,' dies at 90
Actor David McCallum, who became a teen heartthrob in the hit series 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' in the 1960s and was the eccentric medical examiner in the popular 'NCIS' 40 years later, has died. He was 90.
Atlantic
-
School bus collides with vehicle in N.B.
No injuries were reported Tuesday morning after a school bus collided with a vehicle in Weldon, N.B.
-
Calls for Halifax-area campgrounds to stay open into the fall amid housing crisis
Mel Ellsworth from Halifax has fallen on hard times, and is now one of many people sleeping rough in the city.
-
Four in 10 child patients face unsafe spinal surgery wait times in Canada: report
Four out of ten child patients in Canada are facing unsafe spinal surgery wait times, which could cost the health-care system $44.6 million, according to a new report that was published Monday.
Montreal
-
Bus driver's first-degree murder trial in fatal Laval daycare crash likely to resume in the spring
The first-degree murder trial for the man accused of killing two children by driving a city bus into a Laval daycare will likely continue in the spring.
-
Man, 49, dies in hospital after being stabbed in Westmount, Que.
A man was killed after being stabbed in the town of Westmount, on the island of Montreal, on Monday night.
-
4 families relocated after fire rips through homes in Laval
Four homes were damaged and four families were relocated after a fire broke out in Laval on Tuesday morning.
Ottawa
-
NEW THIS MORNINGNEW THIS MORNING What's open and closed in Ottawa on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Saturday, Sept. 30 is the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. The statutory holiday will be observed on Monday, Oct. 2.
-
new this morning
new this morning Sunny Tuesday in store
After a cool start to the day, the temperature will warm up to a high of 20C in Ottawa Tuesday with plenty of sunshine.
-
Ottawa police lay charges after Halton police officers attacked in downtown Ottawa
Ottawa police have arrested and charged a man in connection with an attack in the ByWard Market that injured two Halton Regional Police officers.
Toronto
-
Ontario businessman loses $38K in cheque-cashing scam
An Ontario businessman says he has to pay about $38,000 after he was the victim of a cheque-cashing scam and failed to immediately report the fraudulent activity to his bank.
-
Possible 'vehicle convoy' prompts police to shut down roads around Queen's Park
Toronto police said they have shut down roads surrounding Queen's Park and hospital row this morning in anticipation of a possible demonstration involving 'a number of vehicles.'
-
Arguments set to begin in Peter Nygard sex-assault case in Toronto
Arguments in the Toronto sexual-assault case against former Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard are expected to begin today.
Kitchener
-
Willow River Centre targeted by vandalism
A new queer and Indigenous-led centre in Kitchener has been targeted by vandalism, less than two weeks before it's set to open to the public.
-
Royal City Mission says it will be forced to cut hours if it can’t meet fundraising goal
The Mission says it needs to raise $50,000 to $70,000 by mid-October or else it’ll have to reduce hours.
-
WCDSB filling vacant trustee seat with runner-up in election
The Waterloo Catholic District School Board will have another new face at the trustee table.
London
-
Veltman murder trial: Here’s what you need to know before day 13
Two forensic identification officers who helped process the scenes of the attack on the Afzaal family and of accused Nathaniel Veltman's apartment took the stand on Monday. Here’s what you need to know before Tuesday.
-
Homeless hub locations divide council members and public, but mayor says plan still a ‘whole of community response’
A deepening political divide over London’s plan to address the homelessness crisis may be a symptom of continued confusion and uncertainty among council’s constituents.
-
Suspect allegedly robs store, ties up employees in south London
London police are asking for the public’s help to identify a robbery suspect who allegedly tied up store employees and demanded cash and cellphones.
Northern Ontario
-
Federal offender wanted on Canada-wide warrant known to frequent these Ontario cities
A federal offender is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for breaching his statutory release.
-
Poster advertising 'whites-only' children's playtime sparks outrage in B.C. community
Police have launched an investigation into a poster inviting "proud parents of European children" to participate in racially segregated playtime in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.
-
Ontario businessman loses $38K in cheque-cashing scam
An Ontario businessman says he has to pay about $38,000 after he was the victim of a cheque-cashing scam and failed to immediately report the fraudulent activity to his bank.
Windsor
-
Suspect arrested in department store arson
Windsor police have identified and arrested a suspect in connection to an arson at a department store in the city’s east end.
-
Amherstburg votes in favour of regional garbage collection
The Town of Amherstburg is voting ‘yes’ to regional garbage collection in Essex County – making it the third municipality to give its support.
-
Family raises $10K for the John McGivney Children’s Centre with backyard fundraiser
A local family raised $10,000 for the John McGivney Children’s Centre, an organization very close to their heart, with a backyard fundraising event.
Calgary
-
Calgary man shot to death through window of Pineridge home: police
Calgary police have released the name of a man killed in the community of Pineridge over the weekend.
-
Poster advertising 'whites-only' children's playtime sparks outrage in B.C. community
Police have launched an investigation into a poster inviting "proud parents of European children" to participate in racially segregated playtime in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.
-
Victim of violent abduction rescued by Calgary police, 3 adults and 1 teen charged
Calgary police have charged three men and one teen in connection to a violent abduction in the community of Acadia earlier this month.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon police requesting public’s assistance locating missing 15-year-old
The Saskatoon Police Service is asking the public for help locating a missing 15-year-old boy.
-
'Not how we wanted to find her': Saskatoon police renew calls for details in historic homicide
Saskatoon police are calling on the public for information about a 16-year-old homicide investigation.
-
Saskatoon police: Groups of men in their 30s clashed with sticks, pipes and a bat
Police were called to an incident Friday night that initially sounded like a group of teens may have been battling it out in a city park.
Edmonton
-
Oilers blanked by Jets in preseason roadie
Laurent Brossoit relished being back on the ice and it showed. Brossoit made 26 saves as the Winnipeg Jets blanked the Edmonton Oilers 5-0 in pre-season action on Monday.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Josh Classen's forecast: Warm again today, cooling trend begins Wednesday
A warm start to the day with temperatures in the 11 to 15 C range for LOWS! The average HIGH for Sept. 26 is 16 C.
-
Trudeau confirms Rota meeting with House reps, cites need to 'ensure dignity' of Parliament
House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota will be meeting with the House leaders of all parties today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has confirmed, telling reporters that he's sure 'they'll have very important conversations.' The meeting comes amid acrimony over Rota's recognition of a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War.
Vancouver
-
3 more B.C. First Nations gain control over on-reserve education
At a ceremony on the Capilano Reserve, three First Nations celebrated agreements with the B.C. and federal governments that put control of on-reserve education in their hands.
-
These are 10 of the most expensive homes on the market in B.C.
It’s no secret that British Columbia is home to the most expensive properties in the country. What can tens of millions of dollars get you in this hub of luxury real estate?
-
'Disbelief. Stunned. Numb': Friend remembers murdered B.C. Mountie
When Jeannette Martin learned her friend Const. Rick O’Brien was shot and killed while serving a search warrant in Coquitlam on Friday morning, she was stunned.
