Police Warn Public of Continuing Phone Scams

The North Bay Police Service is warning the public of continuing phone scams.

 The North Bay Police Service has received multiple reports of individuals receiving phone calls from someone claiming to be a police officer, advising that a relative of theirs is in custody.  The scammer proceeds to claim that the relative will be release if bail money is sent.   A variation of this scam involves a “lawyer” calling and asking for money to “represent” a person’s loved one who has landed in jail for an offence.  Please do not send money to individuals who make these false claims.

 Remember the following tips when dealing with people over-the-phone:

·        Police or law officials (such as lawyers or para-leagal) will never ask for money over the phone in relation to getting someone out of jail

• If someone is claiming a loved one is in jail or in trouble, take a moment and verify the information by calling the family member personally
• Never give out personal information such as credit card or bank account numbers or any other financial information over the phone, unless you made the call yourself, and the phone number belongs to a trusted source
• If you have been the victim of this scam or any other scam and have lost money, please call the North Bay Police Service at 705-497-5555 to make a report. 

 The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has an excellent website for scam and fraud prevention. (www.antifraudcentre.ca )