Police Warn of Scam Calls from Fraudsters Claiming to be Authorities

Toronto police warn of phone scam targeting residents

Toronto police are warning residents about a phone scam that's been targeting people in the city.

The scam involves a caller claiming to be a police officer or a government official, and then asking for personal information or money. The caller may also claim that you've won a prize or that you're in trouble with the law.

Toronto police say they've received several reports of this scam, and they're urging people to be cautious when answering the phone.

"We want to remind the public that the Toronto Police Service will never ask for personal or financial information over the phone," said Detective Constable Steve Watts. "If someone calls you claiming to be a police officer and asks for money or personal information, it's likely a scam."

Police say that scammers are using technology to make it seem like the call is coming from a legitimate number, including the Toronto Police Service's own phone number. They're also using fake names and titles to try to convince people that they're legitimate.

If you receive a suspicious call, police advise you to hang up and not provide any information. You can also report the call to the Toronto Police Service's phone scam hotline at 416-808-7100.

In addition to being cautious when answering the phone, police are also reminding people to be aware of their surroundings and to not provide personal information to strangers. They're also encouraging people to report any suspicious activity to the police.