An increase in fraudulent calls from individuals posing as police and asking for donations on behalf of Mothers Against Drunk Driving has prompted Prince Edward County OPP to issue a warning.
Police are again urging residents to exercise vigilance regarding charity and donation scams.
“Individuals claim to represent OPP and use high-pressure tactics to convince victims to make immediate donations,” explained OPP, adding these fraudsters can also sound convincing but aren’t affiliated with legitimate charities or law enforcement.
The recent incidents have police again sharing key reminders for residents to protect themselves against scammers:
Be cautious of unsolicited calls requesting donations, especially those that pressure you to act immediately.
Legitimate charities will not use aggressive or high-pressure tactics.
Ask for detailed information about the charity, including its mission, how funds will be used and proof that donations are tax deductible.
Request the charity’s official registered tax number and verify it with the Canada Revenue Agency by calling 1-800-267-2384.
Be wary of unusual payment methods. Legitimate charities do not request donations in cryptocurrency or other unconventional forms.
Fraudsters may also contact individuals through phone calls, emails, text messages, or other communication methods.
“Their goal is to create urgency and exploit generosity.”
In addition, police provide the following tips for people to stay safe:
Do not provide personal or financial information over the phone to unknown callers.
Take time to verify the legitimacy of any organization before donating.
Consider donating directly through official charity websites or trusted, local organizations.
If in doubt, hang up and independently contact the organization using verified contact information.
To help prevent victimization, police are asking residents to share this information, especially with those who may be at risk.
If you suspect you’ve been the victim of cybercrime or fraud, you’re also urged to report it to police at 1-888-310-1122 and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s online reporting system or by calling 1-888-495-8501.
If not a victim, but you encounter a scam, report it to the centre anyway, said police.
