Police are urging citizens to exercise vigilance as a scam targeting contractors is circulating in Belleville and area.
According to the Belleville Police Service, in these incidents, victims are receiving emails from someone claiming to be hospitalized and in need of contracting work to be completed while in hospital.
“The scammer poses as a customer and asks the contractor to meet with a moving company to gain access to the property,” explained police, adding that the scammer then offers to pay by credit card but asks the contractor charge extra on the card and forward a portion of the funds to movers.
They claim the movers can’t accept credit card payments, and once processed, the contractor is responsible for the entire amount due to the payment being fraudulent, said police.
Police continue to encourage residents to protect themselves against scams with knowledge and to learn more about fraud awareness via the service’s website and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.
Further, police said other ways residents can protect themselves is by not sharing or processing credit card information from unknown sources. And people should be cautious of anyone asking to forward funds on their behalf.
Suspected scams should also be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Written by Sarah Hyatt
