Be Aware (Fraud & Scams)

What is personal security?

Personal security involves taking steps to keep yourself safe and protecting yourself from situations that are potentially violent or criminal. Like other methods of crime prevention, it involves recognizing, anticipating, and assessing the risk of a crime occurring — then taking steps to reduce that risk.

Being aware and informed is one of the best defences against fraud. Fraudsters rely on urgency, pressure, and confusion. When something feels rushed or too good to be true, slow down and verify before you act.

Common frauds and scams

The Belleville Police Service regularly sees the following types of fraud reported in the community:

• Grandparent scam — a caller claims a family member (often a grandchild) has been arrested, hurt, or stranded and urgently needs money wired to them. It is designed to make you panic and send funds before you can check the story.
• Overpayment scam — a buyer or “employer” sends a cheque or money order for more than the amount owed, then asks you to refund the difference before the original payment is found to be counterfeit.
• Counterfeit money order and cheque fraud — you are asked to help an unknown person cash a counterfeit or photocopied money order or cheque. Assisting with or attempting to cash these documents will generate a police investigation and possibly criminal charges.
• Identity theft — personal information is stolen and used to impersonate you for financial gain. See our Identity Theft page.
• Skimming and card fraud — hidden cameras can capture your PIN and tampered card readers can copy your card when it is swiped. Shield the keypad and change your PIN frequently.
• Mortgage fraud — your identity or property is used to obtain a mortgage or transfer title without your knowledge.
• Internet and money-order fraud — unsolicited emails ask you to assist unknown persons in moving money or cashing counterfeit documents.

Protect yourself

• Be wary of urgent requests, unsolicited contact, and offers that seem too good to be true.
• Never give personal or financial information to someone who contacts you out of the blue — by phone, email, text, or at the door.
• Verify independently. If a caller claims to be from your bank, the government, or a company, hang up and call back using a number you look up yourself.
• Never wire money, send gift cards, or buy cryptocurrency to resolve an “emergency” or a “debt” demanded over the phone.
• Shred documents that contain personal or financial information before discarding them.