Peel Regional Police are warning residents in Mississauga and Brampton about a phone scam where fraudsters pose as officers to trick victims — with members of the Asian community being specifically targeted.
The scam involves calls that appear to come from the police service’s non-emergency number. Once connected, the caller claims to be an officer, referencing personal details about the victim to build trust before demanding sensitive information such as banking details.
Police say victims are often threatened with arrest unless they provide payment or financial information. They stress that real officers will never call to demand money or ask for personal banking information.
“If you have provided banking details, contact TransUnion or Equifax to monitor your accounts,” police advised in a release.
Investigators urge anyone uncertain about a caller’s legitimacy to ask for their name, badge number, and an official occurrence or report number.
Residents with information are asked to call Peel Regional Police at 905-453-3311. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.peelcrimestoppers.ca, with tipsters eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.