Image provided by the OPP
With March being Fraud Prevention Month, the Caledon OPP is warning of recent extortion activity on the area.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud defines extortion as “when someone unlawfully obtains money, property or services from a person, entity, or institution through coercion.”
Based on recent extortion cases investigated by Caledon OPP, many involve phone calls from a WhatsApp number, threatening violence unless a large sum of money is paid, and mentioning knowledge of the individual’s home or workplace.
Here are some tips on how to protect yourself:
- If you receive a violent message, report it to your local police immediately
- Remember that fraudsters use high-pressure intimidation tactics to try to steal your money
- Be wary of any unsolicited message, including those that are threatening or accuse you of owing money for a service you never had or planned to have
- Do not reply to threatening messages
- Do not send money under pressure
- Learn more tips and tricks for protecting yourself
Anyone who has received a violent extortion message should report it to their local police immediately. After contacting police, it is important to also report it online or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. If it’s not an emergency, you can also provide information anonymously by contacting Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online. When you contact Crime Stoppers, you stay anonymous, and you never have to testify.
For more information about Extortion, click here.
If you have a news tip or story idea, you can now send us a heads up via email at:
- News1013@LocalRadio.ca (Milton)
- News1015@LocalRadio.ca (Orangeville)
- News92@LocalRadio.ca (South Simcoe)
If you’d like to get ahold of me personally, shoot me a message at Cameron.Wilkinson@LocalRadio.ca. We’re in the business of content creation, so no idea is a bad idea.
