The OPP are reminding the public to be aware of the email scams criminals use to commit identity theft and other crimes.
Phishing is any email falsely claiming to be from an established legitimate organization such as a financial institution, business or government agency.
Police say such emails may direct the consumer to visit a certain website to update or provide personal and/or financial information and passwords.
“It is really a malicious attempt to collect customer information for the purpose of committing fraud,” states the OPP in a press release as part of a Cyber Security Awareness Month campaign.
Ransomware produces what has been called a “Police Trojan” or “scareware” because a notice pops up that appears to come from a law enforcement agency.
“The message is a false accusation of illegal online activities and then demands that the consumer needs to pay a fee via money transfer or credit card to unlock the computer,” police explain.
“When the victim submits their payment details, the criminals then steal and use the victim’s personal information.”
To recognize and avoid phishing:
– protect your computer with anti-virus software, spyware filters, email filters and firewall programs;
– contact the named financial institution immediately and report your suspicions;
– do not reply to any email that requests your personal information;
– look for misspelled words; and
– always report phishing or ‘spoofed’ emails.
Signs that you may have encountered ransomware include:
– a pop-up message or banner with a ransom request;
– unable to access anything on the computer beyond the screen;
– request to send money outside of the traditional or mainstream banking system; and
– being asked to send money to “unlock” a computer.
Tips to protect yourself from ransomware:
– never click on a pop-up that claims your computer has a virus;
– update your anti-virus software often and scan your computer for viruses regularly;
– don’t click on links or attachments in e-mails sent to you by someone you don’t know;
– turn on your browser’s pop-up blocking feature; and
– never download anti-virus software from a pop-up or link sent to you in an e-mail.
Where to get help
During October’s Cyber Safety Awareness Month, the OPP, other police services and international partners are promoting public awareness to help prevent all Canadians from becoming victims.
If you suspect you’ve been a victim of phishing or ransomware, contact local police or the official entity that the ransomware appears to be from, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, report it to the OPP online at http://www.opp.ca/index.php?id=132 or through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) at https://www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm
For helpful tips and links, follow the OPP on Twitter (@OPP_News), Facebook and Instagram and using the hashtags #CyberSecurity, #CyberAware and #OPPTips.
“Ransomware and phishing emails seek to elicit personal information and data needed to fuel further criminal activities. Together, we need to do all we can to convince victims to report phishing emails and ransomware incidents, which can reduce harm and victimization,” said Deputy Commissioner Rick Barnum of the OPP Investigations and Organized Crime
“Criminal organizations relentlessly work to find any way possible as often as possible to come between people and their money. Your best defence against becoming a victim is to use common sense and steer clear of suspicious emails and shady websites,” adds Detective Inspector Mike Bickerton of the OPP Anti-Rackets Branch.
