Windsor resident loses $4.5K after scammer poses as police and immigration officer
Police would never contact people and threaten to arrest them over CRA debt, says officer
Windsor Police say a fraudster "spoofed" their phone number in a scam that cost a local victim $4575.
The caller posed as a police officer, as well as an immigration officer and pressured the victim into making payments with money grams and pre-paid cards, according to police.
The calls appeared to be from police because of the way the number came up on call display, explained Sgt. Steve Betteridge in a media release.
"We would like to remind the public that the Windsor Police Service would NEVER contact a member of the public and threaten to arrest them for an outstanding CRA debt," he added.
Fraudsters use pressure tactics
Betteridge said scammers will often use pressure tactics to push people to act immediately, but he said the key is to remain vigilant and trust your instincts.
"If the situation and circumstances simply do not add up, take your time, call the proper authorities, and determine if the original call was legitimate," he wrote.