Brantford police are continuing to investigate an identity theft and seek information from the public in an effort to identify suspects.
On December 9, 2022, the Brantford Police Service initiated a fraud investigation after receiving a report from a local financial institution to advise an unknown individual had impersonated a customer to make fraudulent cash withdrawals.
Utilizing false identification in the victim’s name, over $43,000 was withdrawn from the victim’s account over a period of four days.
Still images of the suspects have been obtained and are being released in hopes that the public may have information that could lead investigators to identify these individuals.
If you have any information that could assist investigators to identify the suspects, please contact the Brantford Police Service at 519-756-7050.
From January 1, 2022, to date, Brantford Police Service has received 418 reports of fraud.
The Brantford Police Service wish to remind residents of the importance of fraud education and protecting oneself from becoming a victim. Please see below for tips on how to protect yourself from fraud. We also encourage spreading the word to those, such as the elderly, who may be particularly vulnerable to these fraudsters and may be targets of these high-pressure scams.
What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft occurs when scammers collect and/or replicate your personal information to commit fraud. Thieves can make purchases from your accounts, acquire passports, receive government benefits, apply for loans, and more. Your information can be stolen through your trash and mail, or through tactics such as spyware, viruses, hacking, and phishing.
Tips to protect yourself:
- Never provide your personal information over the phone, via text message, email, or the internet
- Regularly check your credit rating/reports
- Avoid the use of public computers and Wi-Fi hotspots to access or provide personal information
- Create strong, unique passwords for each account and password protect your devices and home Wi-Fi
- Do not write down passwords and carry them with you
- Only make payments online through a secure site – the web address will start with ‘https’ and show a closed padlock symbol
- Do not give out personal information on social media
- Always shield your PIN when making purchases & never lose sight of your card
- Shred and destroy documents with any personal information
Visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for more information on how to recognize, reject and report fraud.
If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud and reside in the City of Brantford, contact the Brantford Police Service at 519-756-7050. You can also report online at: https://www.brantfordpolice.ca/online-reporting
If you have not experienced a financial loss but have received a fraudulent call, such as the CRA scam, please report the incident by calling the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraud.ca/index-eng.htm
