Surge in scams in Brantford, Here’s what you need to know to stay safe

Brantford police are warning residents to be extra vigilant after a rise in reported scams.

Police say there have been a number of ongoing scams recently reported including phishing scams, CRA scams and Bitcoin and investment scams.

In a phishing scam, a victim signs up for an online investment opportunity. The victim is directed to complete a sign-up form where they are asked for personal information including a bank account number, online banking passwords, date of birth, driver’s license number, social insurance number and phone number. The scammer then uses this information to access the victim’s bank account and transfer funds into their own account.

In an investment scam, the victim comes across internet postings or postings on social media regarding cryptocurrency investment opportunities. In all cases, these postings promise high returns for investing. The scammer directs the victim to purchase Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency and then transfer it into a “trading account”. However, the victim is actually transferring their Bitcoin into the scammer’s own cryptocurrency wallet where the funds disappear, and the victim no longer has access. In some cases, police say the suspect will have the victim give them access to their computer or cell phone thru a screen-sharing application. The suspect then gains access to the victim’s computer or cell phone where they are now able to transfer funds out of the victim’s accounts.

Brantford Police Service is also aware of ongoing scam phone calls involving someone claiming to be from the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA). This scam involves a threat to individuals for payment of a fictitious debt to avoid arrest. The victim is often asked to repay their false debt by wire transfer, cyber-based currency or with the purchase of gift cards.

This scam often involves the use of technology which can cause a phone display to show a local telephone number or a Brantford Police Service registered phone number.

This technique is called “spoofing”. Caller ID spoofing allows fraudsters to disguise their calls and make them appear to represent a legitimate organization.

“Do not trust what is showing on your phone’s caller ID display. If you suspect a company or government agency is seeking personal information or money fraudulently, contact them directly to verify the validity of the request,” said police in a news release.

Police are reminding residents members of the CRA will not call you and ask for your banking information while threatening your arrest.

The CRA does not accept e-transfers or wire payments for any fees or services and never uses text messages or instant messaging such as Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp to communicate with taxpayers. Any text or instant message claiming to be from the CRA is a scam.

Last year, Brantford police received 201 reports of scams. So far in 2022, there have been 35 reported incidents.

Police have offered the following tips to help keep you safe:

• Be mindful of advertisements for investments that promise higher than normal returns. If it’s too good to be true, it almost always is too good to be true.
• Be aware that social media account takeovers are becoming more and more common. Suspects will take over a social media account and post advertisements for their scams. It will appear that your social media friends are making these posts and referring you to the investment.
• Be mindful when investing with or providing any personal information to a potential investment advisor. Do your research before investing. Ask for phone numbers and be sure you can contact these persons on these phone numbers. Confirm an address where the investor is based out of. Ask for references. In all likelihood, if you ask a scammer for these things, they will either not be able to provide them or will provide excuses as to why they cannot provide them.
• Never allow anyone to access your phone or computer thru a screen sharing application. A legitimate entity would never invade your privacy in this way.
• DO NOT provide personal information (e.g., Social Insurance Number, passport number, banking information or credit card numbers) over the phone unless you placed the call, and you know for certain who you are speaking to.
• Accredited businesses and government agencies will never ask for payment using gift cards or bitcoin.
• If you suspect it is a scam, it may be – just hang up. Conduct your own research to determine validity.
• Never wire money based on a request made over the phone or in an email, especially overseas.
• Resist the pressure to act quickly, if the offer is too good to be true, it probably is.
  Consider adding your phone number to the National Do Not Call List: https://lnnte-dncl.gc.ca/en
• Consult with someone you trust before agreeing to provide large sums of money to anyone.
• DO NOT write down passwords and carry them with you.

For more information about scams impacting residents in Brantford, visit the Brantford Police Service website.