The Thunder Bay Police Service is warning the public about a scam targeting local residents that appears to use information about the upcoming municipal election.
In one such case, a local victim was contacted by email by a fraudster impersonating a local mayoral candidate. The fraudster requested gift cards to provide to their campaign staff and volunteers.
Further investigation revealed the email did not come from the mayoral candidate, and the victim was defrauded of several hundred dollars.
Please be aware that this scam may be using various means, such as telephone and email, to reach would-be victims.
The Thunder Bay Police Service would like to remind residents to be skeptical of any unsolicited phone calls, emails, or home visits by any organization, financial or government institution. This includes people claiming to be running for public office or people claiming to be staff or volunteers of municipal candidates.
You have the right to hang up the phone, delete emails, or close your door.
If you believe the caller may be legitimate, find the contact information of the company, institution or campaign they purport to be associated with independently. Then contact them on your own terms to follow-up on their claims.
Never use the contact information provided to you by the suspected fraudster.
For more information about protecting yourself from such scams please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca).
Incident Date
Incident Number
TB22059388
Location
Thunder Bay