Over the past few years the news has been filled with warnings about various types of scams.  The most famous is one that appears mostly everyone is familiar with – the taxes owed scam or you will get arrested.

As the public becomes more aware of some of these scams, the fraud artists make adjustments and try new approaches.

Shelburne Police is currently investigating a fraud where a resident lost $1900.00 in a scam.  In this incident the scammer posed as a Hydro One employee stating that the victim had to pay an outstanding balance immediately or their power would be cut off.  The scam artist directed the victim to a Bitcoin ATM to make the required “payment”.

“Reputable companies do not call at random and make bold claims like this” states Sgt. Paul Neumann.  “Never send money in any form to anyone or any company that you haven't first verified.  No matter how convincing the caller appears to be, a reputable company will never stop you from verifying your outstanding balance or any other claim they make.  Take the time to call the company directly using a number you look up yourself – not a number provided by the caller.  These scam artists try to draw you in by presenting a few true facts and then expressing urgency to the situation.  Always take the time to verify any potential transfer of money you didn't initiate”.

If you have been contacted by one of these scam artists but did not lose any money, please report the incident directly to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.   If you lost money through a scam, report the incident directly to police.