The Ontario Provincial Police have issued a public alert after a series of complaints that scammers are contacting residents and claiming to be OPP officers. The warning, released on Monday evening, says the fraudulent callers sometimes use phone numbers that appear to be official OPP lines.
According to the OPP, the impersonators reach out by telephone and present themselves as law‑enforcement officers. They may request personal information, payment or other cooperation under the pretense of an ongoing investigation. The police agency emphasizes that legitimate officers do not solicit money or sensitive data through unsolicited phone calls.
The warning notes that the scammers employ a technique known as caller ID spoofing, which allows them to display a number that resembles an authentic OPP contact. This practice can make the call seem credible, increasing the likelihood that a recipient will comply with the request.
Ontario residents who receive such calls are advised to verify the identity of the officer by hanging up and calling the official OPP non‑emergency line. The police also recommend refraining from sharing personal details or making payments until the caller’s authenticity is confirmed.
The OPP says it is monitoring the situation and will pursue any individuals found to be using fraudulent tactics. The agency encourages anyone who suspects a scam to report the incident to the police, providing any available call details.
This advisory follows repeated reports of the deceptive practice across the province. By alerting the public, the OPP hopes to reduce the success of these scams and protect Ontarians from potential financial or identity loss.