Waterloo Regional Police are warning of a phishing scam that’s been circulating in the area.
They say in most cases, a fraudster sends a text message to the victim claiming to be their child.
“The fraudster then tells the victim they need funds to purchase a new phone or pay a bill,” police describe in a news release.
“The scammer then provides the victim with their new phone number for future communication.”
After that, the fraudsters generally start requesting money through e-transfers.
Police say they’ve received several recent reports and the investigation into these incidents is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Waterloo Regional Police Service at 519-570-9777 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
More information on scams and advice on your to protect yourself can be found on the Canadian Governments Protect Your Against Fraud page, the Competition Bureau website, or the Anti-Fraud Centre website.
