Peterborough Police Seeking Suspects Defrauding Lakefield Business For Incomplete Lot Repaving

Peterborough Police are investigating a defrauding on a Lakefield business occurring on Thursday.

File Photo.

The report was made on Friday to police. The business owner claimed to have an agreement with a company to repave their parking lot. The work had started but remained incomplete despite $15,000 being exchanged.

The first suspect was described to police as:

• Male, white

• Heavier build

• Irish accent

• White baseball hat

• Blue golf shirt

• Khaki shorts

• White sport socks

• Sandals

The second suspect was described to police as:

• Male, White

• Medium build

• Red hair

• Irish accent

• Black t-shirt

• Black shorts

• Black shoes or boots

Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Police Receiving a Continuation In Reports of Cryptocurrency Scams

Peterborough Police Service continue to receive calls and reports about cryptocurrency scams surfacing in the Peterborough area announced on Tuesday. 

File Photo.

A bitcoin scam involving a fraudster, asks the victim to make a payment with bitcoin. The victim had sent several thousand dollars before realizing it was a scam.  

Police say that cryptocurrency scams are becoming a more common fraudster tool.

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, victims lost a total of $125.8 million when cryptocurrency was used as the payment method last year.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

City of Peterborough Warning Residents of Potential Sewer Line and Storm Fraud Attempts

The City of Peterborough warns of a potential fraud attempt after receiving reports that residents have been contacted by a business claiming to be contracted by the City to clean sewer lines or address storm water prevention.

Stock Photo.

The current scam involves several concerning elements:

• asking residents whether they will be home within a certain time period

• coming to residents’ doors asking to check their basements and yards

• pressuring residents to sign contracts and pay upwards of $3,000 under the guise that the government will reimburse them

• showing fake credentials, names and phone numbers

• targeting seniors who have home phone lines

Residents are reminded to never provide personal information to unsolicited callers or people knocking at their door without verifying their identity and the validity of their business.

Residents can report scam calls to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or visit Peterborough Police Services Fraud page https://www.peterboroughpolice.com/en/learn/fraud.aspx for more information.

Local victims of fraud should contact the Peterborough Police non-emergency number 705-876-1122.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Residents Advised To Use Caution When Providing Personal Information To Unsolicited Sources

The City of Peterborough has been informed that an individual received a phone call regarding a survey on public transit despite not currently conducting any surveys.

stock photo.

The City says they do  not currently have a market research firm conducting polling about public transit, and advises residents to be cautious when providing any personal information to unsolicited sources.

Below are some fraud tips from the Peterborough Police Service:

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Police Warn Of Surge In Reports Of Grandparent Scam

Peterborough Police are issuing a warning to residents about another grandparent scam.

File Photo.

Officers received close to 20 calls from concerned residents on Monday.

Each case was very similar, the potential victim is told that their grandchild is in Peterborough Police custody and requires money for bond.

The potential victim is further told not to tell anyone else as the grandchild is embarrassed as there were drugs found in their vehicle. The scammers then request money be sent or indicate that the potential victim call them back when they have the money to set up a time to hand it over.

Peterborough Police, or any other law enforcement official, will never request money over the phone or have a courier pick up money.

What to do if you receive a call:

• Do not provide any personal information

• Do not hand any money over

• Remember police will never go to your door to ask for money nor would they ask money to be given to a courier

• Stay calm even if the suspect is pressuring and indicating this is an urgent matter

• Take the time to check the facts with family

• If you are concerned it’s a scam call police or a person you trust immediately

• Report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Police Warns Public Of Rental Scam Surge

Peterborough Police Service is warning the public to be cautious after they continue to receive reports about rental scams announced Tuesday.

Peterborough Police recommend to see the property before signing any lease. Photo by Luke Best.

The rental scam is where an online advertisement for a property is placed, a lease signed and money is exchanged (usually first and last rent) online. The rental unit in question is not actually for rent.

Police remind residents to be aware that fraud can happen at any time, consider checking to ensure the validity of an ad or purchase before exchanging money and keep your personal information private.  

If you are the victim of a fraud, please contact police. If it is a non-emergency, please call 705-876-1122 or report it online.

If it is an emergency, please call 9-1-1.

For tips on how to protect yourself and your information as well as the status of current frauds happening in Canada, visit the Anti-Fraud Centre website.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Fraud Alert: Ontario Energy Group Rep Replaces Elderly Person's Working Furnace With New One Of Lesser Value

Peterborough Police have issued a Fraud Alert regarding an Ontario Energy Group representative. On September 30th, a Ontario Energy Group representative approached an elderly victim at his King George Street home. The representative from the company was able to convince the victim to let him into his home and inspect his furnace. The rep then advised the victim that his furnace was not up to code and that he had to purchase a new furnace immediately. The victim’s furnace was only 10 years old while the average life span of a furnace can be anywhere from 16 to 25 years. The company then removed the victim’s furnace and replaced it with a newer model but a model of significantly lesser value. Anyone who has been approached by Ontario Energy Group representatives in the last few months is asked to call Constable Patricia Shaw at 705-876-1122 ext. 214.  (Note: Ontario Energy Group is a "legit" company, but "the issue is that they use 'strong arm tactics' so it is fair to say their sales tactics are not legit," police tell us.)

Police remind citizens of the following...
 
• If someone comes to your door, ask to see some identification showing their name and company they work for. You do not have to let them in, and they must leave if you ask them to.
• Door to door sales people can use high pressure tactics and can be aggressive in nature, and consumers may find themselves in a situation where they purchase a product or sign up for a service they neither need nor want.
• Remember: Even businesses that are licensed could still try to scam you by acting dishonestly.
• Before you decide to pay any money, if you are interested in what a door-to-door salesperson has to offer, take the time to find out about their business and their offer.
• Don’t be rushed into making a decision, there is often a limited time offer where you need to commit to a purchase or service.
• Do not sign a contract that you do not understand, have not fully read or that has blank spaces.
• Ask the sale representative to leave their brochure or business card and you can contact them at a later date if interested.
• In Ontario, Consumers have a 10 day cooling off period where a contract that was signed in their home can be cancelled (for any reason).
• Always get independent advice if an offer involves money, personal information, time or commitment.

***If you spot a scam or have been scammed, get help. Contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501, the Competition Bureau at 1-800-348-5358 or Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service at 705-876-1122.

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook.