FORT FRANCES – Officers with the Rainy River OPP are asking the public if they know how to spot a text message scam.
Text message phishing scams are the new way for bad actors to steal people’s private data by clicking on a link.
“Don't fall for sleazy text message scams. Instead, keep yourself safe by slowing down, avoiding suspicious links, and never giving out personal or sensitive information to people you don't know - especially if they're texting or calling from random numbers,” said Provincial Constable Mike Glueheisen in a release.
Examples of texts the public may receive from fraudsters are:
- Missed delivery notifications
- "Is this you?" messages
- Text scams claiming that your bank is closing your account.
- Texts claiming that you've won a prize
- Texts claiming that your debit or credit card has been locked
- Text messages supposedly from the CRA
- Text messages from your number
- Texts claiming that your payment for subscription services didn't go through.
- Texts about purchases you didn't make
Glueheisen states, “if you feel you may have received a spam text, do not respond to it, don't open any attached files, and don't click any buttons to open web pages.”
For more information or to report a scam please visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre.ca or by calling 1-(888)-495-8501.
