Online Dating Scams In Woodstock

Saturday, 12 January 2019 at 06:43

Woodstock Police are highlighting two more scams that may harm your love life.

WOODSTOCK - More highlighted scams from 2018 that Woodstock residents should be on the lookout for.

Sextortion and an online dating scam are just 2 of the long list of scams that the Woodstock Police want the public to be alert for. Both being similar in that they both utilize a dating service to carry out these cruel scams. The sextortion scam involved the victim to participate in a online relationship over social media or explicit web sites. For more on the scam, Community Service Officer Shaylyn Jackson.

"They're starting a relationship with someone online perhaps, then they are asked to have some sort of sexual acts to be performed on camera."

The scammer will then recorded and the scammer will then request a fee to be paid to have the video to be taken down. This sort of scam targets teenagers and children so parents sit down and talk to your kids about this problem.

Jackson helps us break down the next scam that targets online dating services.

"Typically through a dating app is how they originally connect and then when they go to meet in person the scammer will ask for money or say they need help for various reasons. Their kind of playing on the victims heart strings to kind of coerce into providing money for them."

If you feel as though you are a victim of one of these scams or any other scam you are urged to contact police immediately to help protect others from the same problem.

If you have had a fraud call but no money was exchanged you can report it online at http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/ or by calling Canadian Anti-Fraud Center at 1-888-495-8501.

Fraud Prevention Tips

* Do not call these people back

* Do not open emails from unfamiliar senders

* Do not provide any personal information such as social insurance number, credit card number, bank account information or passport numbers.

* If you are pressured to access a fraudulent website, don't.

* The CRA will never ask you to provide personal information by email

* Be suspicious if asked to pay taxes or fees on lottery or sweepstakes winnings

* Never share access codes, user ID, or PIN numbers

* Make sure you choose a trusted tax preparer