NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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The Orillia Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is currently investigating fraud complaints to local business in the City of Orillia.
In this particular fraud, the suspect calls the business and orders high-priced items using a credit card. The suspect says his friend will pick the items up. Someone attends the business and picks the items up. A few weeks later the card turns out to be stolen or fraudulent.
The Orillia OPP would like all businesses to guard themselves against fraud. Some signs of fraud and useful tips to prevent fraud are:
- If someone makes a purchase over the phone with a credit card ask to see the credit card and identification at the time of pick up.
- Check the credit card for the name, numbers and expiry date.
- If someone is purchasing an unusual number of expensive items.
- If someone is purchasing "big ticket" items with high resale value.
There are many other signs and indicia of fraudulent behaviour when it comes to credit cards.
Contact your bank, credit card provider or go online for more information. Just because you can't see the card holder doesn't mean you can't suspect fraud. It is important to be aware even for online or over the phone purchases.
The Orillia OPP will continue to investigate these incidents. If anyone has similar incidents or has information they feel would be useful to the police investigation they are encouraged to contact the Orillia OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
Members of the Orillia Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police are committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities.
Officers value your contribution to building safe communities. If you have information about suspected unlawful activity, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or visit Crime Stoppers at: www.crimestopperssdm.com or call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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