By Deanne Taylor
Scammers often create urgency, hoping people will act before they have time to think. Before sending money or sharing personal information, remember three simple words: Pause. Verify. Protect.
Pause when someone pressures you to act immediately. Verify the request by contacting the bank, company, government office or family member directly through a trusted telephone number or website. Protect your accounts by never sharing passwords, banking information or one-time verification codes.
Requests for secrecy or payment by gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfer are strong warning signs. If you believe you have been targeted, contact your financial institution immediately and report the incident to police.
Online marketplace exchanges also require care. Speaking at the 31 Division Community Open House, Superintendent Jack Gurr encouraged residents arranging purchases or sales through services such as Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji to use the division lobby instead of meeting on a street corner or in an unfamiliar place.
“I would invite all of you to start doing it in our lobby,” Gurr said. Residents can tell the front-desk officer that they are there to complete a transaction. “That way, you’ll be safe,” he added.
A legitimate buyer or seller should understand a request to meet at a police facility. If the person refuses, cancels or stops responding, consider that a warning and do not continue with the exchange.
IMPORTANT CONTACTS
Emergency: Call 911
Toronto Police non-emergency: 416-808-2222
Questions or guidance when it is not an emergency: DSC Taylor: 416-808-3133
66077@tps.ca