The Police are using the spring to warn you about telemarketing and email fraud.
Now is a good time to ensure you protect yourself.
The OPP and Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) are teaming up to bring attention to an increase in Telemarketing and email scams.
Fraudsters contact potential victims and act as family or friends in need of money.
Recently, email contact lists have been hijacked and used to send the potential victim an urgent email request for money.
In the past — fraudsters have been successful targeting seniors, giving the name “the grandparents scam”.
According to the Anti Fraud Centre — fraudsters made 225 failed attempts but were successful 61 times, costing over 230 thousand dollars in 2009.
By the end of February there had been 96 failed attempts, but the 23 that were successful cost Ontario victims 88 thousand dollars.
The CAFC estimates these frauds reported to police only reflect about 5 per cent of actual cases.
Police urge you to verify all requests for money, and report suspected fraud.