THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay Police say local residents are continuing to be targeted by ongoing phone scams.
In a release issued on Monday, police say they’ve been made aware of several phone calls made recently that demand payments in the form of gift cards.
“These are scam calls. No legitimate financial agency or institution would ever demand or accept gift cards as an appropriate form of payment,” reads the release, issued by media relations coordinator Matt Vis.
According to the release, these types of crimes are tough for police to investigate and it is rare for victims to reclaim any lost funds.
Police urge friends and family members to speak to anyone they fear might become a victim of this type of crime.
“If there is concern but uncertainty about whether a phone call is a scam, please hang up and directly contact the institution or agency in question. Look up the contact numbers independently and never use the number provided by a potential fraudster or displayed on caller ID,” the release reads.
If you are concerned about potential scams and want to learn more, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/)
To make a fraud/cyber crime online report to the Thunder Bay Police Service, please visit: https://www.services.tryrubicon.com/thunder-bay-police-service/online-reports/report/fraud-cybercrime.
