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Crime Stoppers Brant-Brantford | 344 Elgin Street, Brantford, ON, N3S 7P6
Phone: +1-800-222-8477 | Email: [email protected]
Latest News
Brantford Police Service Warn Residents About Tech Support Scam
Mar 23, 2022Brantford Police Service are issuing a warning to residents after receiving reports of a scam involving the following:
Fraudulent Offer of Tech Support
This type of fraud involves a claim by the scammer to offer remote tech support on a computer or electronic device by posing as a tech expert or, in some cases as a Digital Market or Social Media Manager for hire. These scammers have also promoted themselves to be a Facebook and Google ads expert.
The scammer convinces the victim to allow remote access to their computer, and then places malicious material on the computer. The scammers convince the victim that they were the ones to locate the malicious material and request payment for services for removal.
It is likely the scammer will increasingly upload malicious material to lend legitimacy to their claims, decreasing victims’ willingness to contact law enforcement.
Over the long-term, there is a chance that this remote access can be exploited, either consensually or through malware, to upload other materials to the victim’s computer followed with an attempt to blackmail the victim or increase other criminal activity.
The following safety tips should be considered when making purchases online for such services:
- Never allow anyone to access your phone or computer thru a screen sharing application. A legitimate entity would never invade your privacy in this way.
- Be sure to verify the legitimacy of the seller
- Make purchases from known legitimate companies.
- Trust your instincts. If a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is.
- When in doubt, consult police or someone you trust before sending funds.
The Brantford Police Service wish to remind residents of the importance of fraud education and protecting oneself from becoming a victim. Please see below for tips on how to protect yourself from fraud. We also encourage spreading the word to those, such as the elderly, who may be particularly vulnerable to these fraudsters and may be targets of these high-pressure scams.
TIPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
- Be mindful of advertisements for investments that promise higher than normal returns. “If it’s too good to be true, it most always is too good to be true.”
- Be aware that social media account takeovers are becoming more and more common. Suspects will take over a social media account and post advertisements for their scams. It will appear that your social media friends are making these posts and referring you to the investment.
- Be mindful when investing with or providing any personal information to a potential investment advisor. Do your research before investing. Ask for phone numbers and be sure you can contact these persons on these phone numbers. Confirm an address where the investor is based out of. Ask for references. In all likelihood, if you ask a scammer for these things, they will either not be able to provide them or will provide excuses as to why they cannot provide them.
- Never allow anyone to access your phone or computer thru a screen sharing application. A legitimate entity would never invade your privacy in this way.
- DO NOT provide personal information (e.g., Social Insurance Number, passport number, banking information or credit card numbers) over the phone unless you placed the call, and you know for certain who you are speaking to.
- Accredited businesses and government agencies will never ask for payment using gift cards or bitcoin.
- If you suspect it is a scam, it may be – just hang up. Conduct your own research to determine validity.
- Never wire money based on a request made over the phone or in an email, especially overseas.
- Resist the pressure to act quickly, if the offer is too good to be true, it probably is.
- Consider adding your phone number to the National Do Not Call List: www.Innte-dncl.gc.ca/index-eng
- Consult with someone you trust before agreeing to provide large sums of money to anyone.
- DO NOT write down passwords and carry them with you.
If you have already sent funds and/or your personal information, contact the police and your financial institution immediately. If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud and reside in the City of Brantford, contact the Brantford Police Service at 519-756-7050. You can also report online at: https://www.brantfordpolice.ca/online-reporting
If you have not experienced a financial loss but have received a fraudulent call, such as the CRA scam, please report the incident by calling the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraud.ca/index-eng.htm
Do you know any of these individuals?
The men in the photos were all found to be shoplifting from area stores.
Police need your help to Identify these thieves.
If you have any information regarding this crime you can contact the police directly or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-222-TIPS. That’s 1-866-222-8477. Our local number is 519-750-8477. Remember, your tip is totally anonymous. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display. You may be eligible for a cash reward. And remember, If you see it ..say it!
Latest News
Brantford police seek public assistance to identify robbery suspect
Mar 8, 2022Inc. # 22-8427
Brantford police continue to investigate a robbery at a convenience store that occurred on St. George Street. If you have any information about the robbery, you are asked to contact police. On Friday, March 4, 2022, at approximately 9:00 p.m., officers with the Brantford Police Service responded to the area of St George Street and Grand Street for a robbery at a convenience store. Information was received to indicate a lone male suspect entered the business, brandished a knife, and demanded cash from the store employee. The suspect received an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene on foot.
No physical injuries were sustained during the incident.
SUSPECT DESCRIPTION: Male, Caucasian, medium build, wearing a green hooded sweatshirt, red t-shirt, black pants, brown boots, black and grey gloves, and a brown camouflage patterned face covering.
Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance to identify the suspect. If you have any information related to this investigation, please contact the Brantford Police Service at 519-756-7050 or, to provide information anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at https://www.crimestoppersbb.com/submit-a-tip/
Do you have information on a Crime that was committed in Brantford, Brant County or on Six Nations Territory but want to stay Anonymous?
CALL CRIME STOPPERS-
Did you know that Crimestoppersbb.com and Crimestoppersbb on Facebook, cover not only Brantford and Brant County but also The Six Nations of the Grand ?
Crime Stoppers works with all Police services to assist in generating tips from the public that will help with an Police investigation.
Your local police cannot do it alone and need your help so..
IF YOU SEE IT … SAY IT!
Brantford Police need the public assistance in identifying this male who is suspected of Fraud after a cheque that was mailed to the wrong address was cashed through an ATM by him. The coat that he was wearing at the time has a “Honda” emblem on the right arm and the left chest area shows the words Financial Services
If you have any information regarding this crime you can contact the police directly or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-222-TIPS. That’s 1-866-222-8477. Our local number is 519-750-8477. Remember, your tip is totally anonymous. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display. You may be eligible for a cash reward. And remember, If you see it ..say it!
Brantford police are seeking assistance from the public in regards to a Break and Enter. On Jan 17/22 at approx.. 2:09 am ,an unknown male used a screwdriver to pry open the door at 920 Colborne St in Brantford. Once inside he then attempted to steal the change from the laundry machines. Suspect is described as a white male, average build, wearing grey Magna winter coat, blue jeans, black shoes, black gloves, baseball hat, black bandana over face.
If you have any information regarding this crime you can contact the police directly or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-222-TIPS. That’s 1-866-222-8477. Our local number is 519-750-8477. Remember, your tip is totally anonymous. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display. You may be eligible for a cash reward. And remember, If you see it ..say it!
Mark is a 51 yr old male that was last seen in October of 2021 when he advised family that he was going North to an Indigenous Reservation located near Parry Sound, how ever did not advise which reservation or its exact location. He was observed getting on a bus bound for Parry Sound area but has not been seen or heard from since.
Mark is described as being healthy and fit and enjoys camping . Mark was considered a person of privacy so not much is known as he kept to him self.
If you have any information regarding the location of Mark DOLAN you can contact the police directly or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-222-TIPS. That’s 1-866-222-8477. Our local number is 519-750-8477. Remember, your tip is totally anonymous. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display. You may be eligible for a cash reward. And remember, If you see it ..say it!
Do you recognize this male? He has been responsible for multiple gas drive offs at the Petro Canada Gas Bar located at 1300 Clarence St. S. He has been driving a grey Grand Prix marker BFPZ-564 .
If you have any information regarding this theft, you can contact the police directly or please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-222-TIPS. That’s 1-866-222-8477. Our local number is 519-750-8477. Remember, your tip is totally anonymous. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display. You may be eligible for a cash reward. And remember, crime doesn’t pay, but Crime Stoppers does!