OPP warn of mail scams

Prince Edward OPP advise people to be cautious, and vigilant, regarding scams in the mail.

“Recently, several incidents have been reported to police regarding fraudsters contacting individuals through mail, claiming they have won the lottery or are entitled to an unclaimed life insurance policy,” said Cst. Nicole Cordingley, PEC Media Relations, Community Safety Officer.

While regular mail fraud has decreased over the last several years, there continues to be reports of fraud initiated by mail.

“Scammers are sending letters indicating there is a large sum of money to be collected,” Cordingley reports. “Often, these letters request the recipient keep the matter confidential during the processing period. This is a common tactic often used by scammers to ensure the individual does not expose the scam to family or friends. Once you call the phone number in the letter, fraudsters will ask for payments to cover fees or insurance.

“Unfortunately, scammers are constantly evolving and can adapt their approach, causing people of all ages to fall victim to their schemes.”

By taking the following steps, you can better protect yourself from fraud:
– If you receive a suspicious or odd message from a trusted friend, contact them through a different means of communication to confirm that it’s them.
– If you get an unsolicited email or text message asking you to click a link or open an attachment – don’t do it.
– If contacted by a company, do not use the contact information provided in the message. Look up the legitimate contact information elsewhere and contact the company directly.
– Locate and verify the service provider’s contact information-address, phone number, email-before paying for the service.
– Be wary of letters offering you an inheritance. These letters will often claim to come from lawyers or accountants.
– If you receive or letter claiming you’ve won a free prize, know that you are not required to pay up front fees to collect winnings.

To help prevent victimization, officer Cordingley recommends sharing this information, especially with those who may be at risk.

If you suspect you’ve been the victim of cybercrime or fraud, report it to police at 1-888-310-1122 and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. If not a victim, report it to the CAFC anyway.