The SPVM Is Warning The Public About Scammers Now Using Government Phone Numbers

Police have some advice to avoid scams.
Montreal Police Are Warning The Public About Scammers Using Government Phone Numbers
Jerome Cid | Dreamstime
Staff Writer

On July 15, Montreal police issued a statement to alert the public to scammers using government phone numbers to "extort money from citizens."

Scammers download an app that lets them choose which phone number to display on someone's screen. Apps such as these are easily found online or even on your phone's app store. 

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Scammers are using telephone numbers from government departments, including those of the SPVM, to extort money from citizens.

Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM)

Phone scams happen all the time and there are certain things you can do to protect yourself, the SPVM explains. 

First and foremost, it says, "never disclose your personal information during a call."

Second, "no police or government department ever requests the transfer of funds by cryptocurrency or the purchase of cards."

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre encourages everyone who encounters a scam to report it online.

MontrealNewsNews
  • Teddy Elliot
  • Teddy Elliot
    Teddy Elliot was a Staff Writer for MTL Blog. He was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec and has a B.A. in Literature. Teddy has been a journalist for three years and was once an English teacher. His creative work has appeared in The Blasted Tree and Parenthetical Magazine. When he's not chasing scoops, Teddy can be found cheering on Aston Villa and listening to 80s power ballads. He was shortlisted for a Digital Publishing Award in 2021.

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