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Ontario Provincial Police are warning residents and businesses about emerging fraud schemes involving cellphone service providers and online classified marketplaces.
The OPP’s Integrated Fraud Awareness and Response Unit says fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to obtain personal information, access financial accounts and steal valuable property.
In one cellphone scam, fraudsters pose as representatives of a victim’s service provider and offer discounts, upgraded plans or new devices. Victims may be directed to log into their legitimate cellphone account and provide passwords, security codes or personal information such as a driver’s licence number or Social Insurance Number.
The victim may then be instructed to order a smartphone that is delivered to their home. The fraudster later claims the wrong device was shipped and directs the victim to send it to another address. The victim can ultimately be left responsible for the cost of the device and other losses.
The OPP says unsolicited offers, pressure to act immediately and requests for account credentials or identification are warning signs. Residents should also be cautious if they receive a cellphone or tablet and are instructed to ship it to an address that cannot be verified as belonging to the service provider.
Police are also warning people selling heavy equipment, trailers, vehicles and recreational equipment through online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace.
In those scams, a buyer may agree to purchase an item without seeing it and claim to be out of town. The buyer then arranges for a towing company or another third party to pick up the item.
The seller may receive what appears to be payment through a counterfeit cheque, money order or bank draft. By the time the payment is determined to be fraudulent, the equipment may already have been taken.
The OPP advises sellers to be wary of buyers who refuse to meet in person, arrange third-party pickup or use unverified forms of payment.
The Integrated Fraud Awareness and Response Initiative, launched as an OPP East Region pilot in 2025, provides investigative support and resources to frontline officers handling fraud and cyber-enabled fraud reports.
Police are encouraging anyone who suspects fraud or has been victimized to contact their local police service and report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
(Steve Berard)
