OTTAWA VALLEY, Ontario – The OPP would like to warn residents of an iTunes scam that has recently surfaced in the area again. Increasingly police have received complaints where fraudsters request payment for various fraudulent reasons through the purchase of iTunes gift cards.
In one scenario scammers impersonate the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and claim that the target owes “back taxes”. The target is advised payment must be made immediately to avoid arrest and serious legal consequences. The targets are instructed to purchase and activate iTunes gift cards and provide the codes back to the fraudsters as a form of payment. In a second scenario scammers have impersonated a grandchild in need of financial help due to injury or legal trouble and payment by iTunes cards is needed to bail the grandchild out of jail, pay fines or medical fees.
“These types of incident are occurring all across Ontario and Canada,” said Constable Tylor Copeland of the SD&G OPP detachment. “We have had many CRA scam attempts as do most areas.”
In an effort to reduce victimization consumers need to be aware of these scams and retailers should keep the scam in mind when faced with consumers interested in purchasing large quantities of iTunes cards. If a scam artist contacts you or if you have been defrauded contact your local police service or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or visit their website at www.antifraudcentre.ca
