Published December 13, 2022 at 10:08 am
(Photo: Jefferson Santos)
Peel Regional Police and federal anti-fraud investigators are warning Mississauga and Brampton residents that there are many Grinches out there looking to steal from them during the holidays.
While frauds targeting people of all ages are prevalent year-round, police say that, like many things, the scam game picks up at Christmas.
“The spirit of the holiday is a time for giving for most, but for fraudsters it is a time of taking,” Peel police said in a Twitter post.
Attached to the post is a warning to the public from the federal government’s Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre that highlights the most popular holiday scams.
Police and fraud investigators say these 12 scams are the most prevalent this time of year:
- counterfeit merchandise: Counterfeiters can easily create websites that look like legitimate manufacturers and offer products at a huge discount. Protect yourself by thoroughly researching a website before purchasing from it, searching for warnings posted online about the seller/website and looking for red flags on the website
- selling goods and services online: When buying and selling online, both buyers and sellers need to be aware that not all offers are trustworthy. Watch for buyers who will attempt to not pay you or who are trying to access your personal information
- fake charities: The end of the year is a busy season…
