Scammers continue to wreak havoc in the Quinte West area, and one victim recently lost more than $60,000, say police.
Quinte West OPP says their fraud investigation is ongoing into the incident, which involved a victim allowing screensharing with an unknown party. However, the incident has prompted another warning from police to the public about internet scams.
Police say this is just one of many types of fraud out there and are urging the public to exercise vigilance.
Fraudsters often use remote access software to target people, and these bad actors pose as trusted professionals like tech support or representatives from financial institutions or even government agencies to trick people into giving them remote access to computers and devices, explain police.
OPP says here’s how these scammers typically operate:
The setup: They contact you unsolicited via phone, email or pop-up messages claiming there is an urgent problem, such as a virus, account hack or refund issue. They build trust by sounding official and may even provide fake credentials or direct you to a phony website.
The trick: They instruct you to download and install remote access software on your desktop or smart phone. Once installed, you grant them permission by sharing a code or ID, allowing them full control of your screen, files and apps.
The damage: With access, they can steal personal information like passwords, bank details or IDs, install malware, transfer money from your accounts or lock you out of your device for ransom. Victims often lose thousands of dollars before realizing the scam.
Prevention tips:
Verify before you act: Never install remote access software based on an unsolicited call or message. If someone claims to be from a legitimate company, hang up and contact them directly using official numbers from their website and not the one provided by the caller.
Be skeptical of urgency: Scammers create panic to rush you. Take a moment to think: Did you request help? If not, it’s likely a scam.
Protect your tech: Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all accounts. Keep your antivirus software updated and avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading apps from untrusted sources.
Police are asking people to share this information with family and friends. What’s more, if people suspect a scam, they’re urged to report it right away to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or by calling 1-888-495-8501 and their local police service.
