City police are investigating after a fraud victim sent $4,600 in bitcoins after being advised she needed legal counsel because her identification was compromised.

Police say the victim was contacted by phone yesterday with call display showing numbers as ‘Canadian Border Service Agency’ and ‘Canadian Security Intelligence Service’.

She contacted police after realizing it may be a fraud.

North Bay Police provide the following fraud prevention tips;
– Don’t trust call display. It may say ‘Police’, “Canadian Security Intelligence Service” or ‘CBSA’, but in reality, it may actually be a scammer. If you get a call from a person saying they represent a company or government agency and asking for personal information, hang up and call the number on your account statement or on the company or government agency’s website to verify. Don’t call back the number they supply you, look it up.
– Never provide personal information such as your SIN, account numbers, passwords or other identifying information in response to unexpected calls.
– Most scammers tell you this is an emergency, you can’t hang up and this is time sensitive making you feel nervous and implying you have to “Act Now!” You need to slow down and think about what they are asking you to do. Time is on your side so ask a friend for advice.
– If the caller tells you to lie it will never be a government agency contacting you.
– Tax season is coming so expect an increase in this type of fraud whether it comes by telephone, email or text messaging.

Filed under: North Bay Police Service