Members of the OPP Anti-Rackets Branch remind everyone to be aware of the many 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.
The email may request or direct the consumer to visit a certain website to update or provide personal or financial information and passwords.
It is really a malicious attempt to collect customer information for the purpose of committing fraud.
The practice is is also known as “brand spoofing.”
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (formerly Phonebusters) reports phishing fraud scams continue to take a critical financial toll on Canadians. In 2014, the CAFC received 2,412 phishing complaints. The 1,318 people who were identified as victims lost more than $245,600.
To recognize and avoid phishing:
– protect your computer with anti-virus software, spyware filters, email filters and firewall programs;
– contact the 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.
Deputy Commissioner Scott Tod, of the OPP Investigations and Organized Crime Command, said, “Together, we need to do all we can to convince the 95 per cent of victims to report fraud which could then prevent more harm and victimization. Always report phishing or ‘spoofed’ emails.”
Anyone suspecting they or someone they know has been a victim of fraud should contact their local police service or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at https://www.tipsubmit.com/ or the official entity that it appears to be from.
