Prince Edward County OPP is urging residents to remain vigilant amid an increase in gift card scams over the holidays.
According to police, since November there have been 14 reported occurrences of fraud involving Prince Edward County residents, some of which include gift card frauds.
How the gift card scam works:
- Scammers impersonate trusted sources such as government agencies, police, employers or family members.
- They claim urgent situations like unpaid taxes, bail for a loved one, or overdue bills.
- Victims are instructed to buy gift cards and share the codes.
Important reminders:
- No legitimate organization will ever demand payment via gift cards.
- Never share gift card numbers or passwords with anyone you don’t know.
- If you receive a suspicious request, hang up or delete the message immediately.
For people who’ve been targeted or fallen victim to scam, police also encourage residents to report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or by calling 1-888-495-8501.
Reports can be made to OPP by calling 1-888-310-1122.
