Ontario Provincial Police are warning Eastern Ontario residents about evolving fraud schemes involving cellphone providers and online classified sales.
Police say fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to obtain personal information, access financial accounts and steal valuable property.
In one scheme, fraudsters pose as representatives of a victim’s cellphone service provider and offer discounts, upgraded plans or new devices.
Victims may be asked to log in to their legitimate cellphone accounts while the caller remains on the line and provide account information, passwords, security codes, PINs, multi-factor authentication codes or personal information, including a driver’s licence number, Social Insurance Number or other identification.
Police say warning signs include unsolicited phone calls, text messages or emails offering discounts, upgraded plans or new devices, as well as callers who pressure people to act immediately or claim an offer is available only for a limited time.
Victims may also be encouraged to open an account with another service provider.
Police say victims may then be instructed to order a smartphone that is delivered to their home. Once the device arrives, the fraudster may claim the wrong phone was shipped and direct the victim to send it to another address.
Residents should also be wary if they receive a cellphone or tablet and are instructed to send it to an address provided by the caller, particularly if it does not match the verified address of the service provider.
Victims can ultimately be left responsible for the cost of the device and other financial losses.
OPP are also warning about fraud targeting people selling heavy equipment, trailers, vehicles and recreational equipment through online marketplaces, including Facebook Marketplace.
Police say fraudsters often make initial contact through the platform before moving the conversation to email or text messaging.
The buyer may agree to purchase the item without seeing it in person, claim to be out of town and arrange for a towing company or other third party to pick it up.
To appear legitimate, the fraudster may provide a photograph of a driver’s licence or other identification.
The seller may then receive a fraudulent payment, including a counterfeit cheque, money order or bank draft, sometimes delivered by the tow truck operator or another person picking up the property.
By the time the payment is discovered to be fraudulent, the property may already have been removed.
Police say warning signs include buyers who are willing to purchase an item without seeing it in person, arrange for a tow truck or another third party to collect it, provide payment through that third party, pay by cheque, money order or bank draft instead of a verified electronic transfer, or refuse to meet in person or use secure, verifiable transaction methods.
The warnings come from the OPP’s Integrated Fraud Awareness and Response initiative, an East Region pilot program launched in 2025.
According to the OPP, the initiative is led by a detective sergeant and supported by provincial constables from across East Region. The team reviews fraud and cyber-enabled fraud reports and provides investigative guidance, resources and expert contacts to frontline officers.
Members of the initiative can also be assigned fraud investigations in collaboration with detachment leadership.
More information about merchandise fraud and other types of fraud is available through the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and its fraud A-to-Z index.
Anyone who suspects fraud or has been a victim is encouraged to contact their local police service and report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre through its online Fraud Reporting System or by calling 1-888-495-8501.
SOURCE: OPP East Region Headquarters.
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