Peel Regional Police have issued a warning for residents to be aware of mass marketing schemes used to collect personal information.
According to police, fraudsters create fake companies or replicate businesses to appear identical to pre-existing companies through text messages and emails.
The main scheme claims to provide discounts on utility bills, where fraudsters pose as authorized dealers with cash vouchers for new clients.
Fraudsters request personal information such as the utility bill holder’s name, account number, billing amount, date of birth and billing address, among others.
Though the messages claims no money, personal or banking information is needed, the fraudsters can still use the information provided to scam a person, said police.
If residents receive messages like this, police are asking them to first verify the organization or person, avoid clicking on any links and to not prepay someone they have never met for services or products through e-transfers, gift card purchases or Bitcoin ABM deposits.
If anyone has information about a similar scam, they can speak with investigators with the fraud bureau by calling 905-453-2121 ext. 3335.
