South Bruce OPP report scammers impersonating fire departments

(KINCARDINE, ON) - The South Bruce OPP is warning residents about an ongoing fraud involving scammers impersonating local fire departments.

In this scam, individuals receive phone calls from someone claiming to be from a local fire department. The call display may appear to show a legitimate phone number, and scammers may use the names of area fire departments.

The scammer will ask for a donation to help cover the costs for fund-raisers, training or equipment. At this time, two incidents have been reported within the South Bruce OPP area.

IMPORTANT: Members of local fire departments will generally hold in-person fund-raisers and public events. They will not call to ask for funds over the phone.

If you believe you have been contacted or victimized, contact the OPP at anytime at 1-888-310-1122 or if an emergency, at 911.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or leave an anonymous on-line tip at www.crimestop-gb.org where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

If you fall victim to a fraud, or know someone who has, contact your local police service to report the crime and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or on-line on the Fraud Reporting System, or antifraudcentre.ca even if a financial loss did not occur.