NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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The East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to warn the public, particularly seniors, about a suspected fraud in the area. If you receive any unsolicited communication by any means asking for money to be given, be cautious and suspicious.
There is a group claiming to be part of Consumer Protection Ontario or other variations of the name. This group has been targeting members of the seniors' community, asking questions about their heating and air conditioning equipment. They offer to help by lowering payments and remove the Notices of Security Interest.
The fraudster offers to come to people's homes to take pictures of their existing equipment as a way for them to get into your home. They will never actually attend. They use the term "Greener Homes" in an e-mail address which is a reference to a federal rebate program.
Police want to remind the public that the Government of Ontario will never contact you directly to ask for your personal information such as your Social Insurance Number (SIN), your banking information or your health information. The Government of Ontario will never offer you money or sign you up for a rebate program.
If you receive such a phone call, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 (toll-free). If you are unsure if it is a scam, please contact Consumer Protection Ontario. If you have questions about your consumer rights, they can be reached, toll-free at 1-800-889-9768 or toll-free TTY at 1-877-666-6545. You can also contact Consumer Protection Ontario via their website.
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