{"id":868996,"date":"2026-08-23T22:18:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T22:18:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/868996\/"},"modified":"2026-08-23T22:18:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T22:18:10","slug":"4-scams-targeting-ontario-residents-in-august-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/868996\/","title":{"rendered":"4 scams targeting Ontario residents in August 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

From fake cellphone upgrades to rental listings and parking ticket texts, scammers are using a mix of phone calls, online ads and phishing messages to trick Ontario residents into handing over money, personal information or expensive devices.<\/p>\n

Here are four scams making the rounds in Ontario in August:<\/p>\n

Scammers pose as representatives from telecommunications companies and contact people with offers for discounted service, free upgrades or new devices.<\/p>\n

The caller may already have some personal information, making the offer seem legitimate.<\/p>\n

Victims are then persuaded to upgrade their phone, add new lines or order tablets and other devices through their actual telecommunications account.<\/p>\n

Because the order is placed legitimately, the device is shipped to the victim\u2019s home. The scammer later contacts the victim again and claims there was a shipping mistake, such as the wrong model or colour being sent.<\/p>\n

Victims are then told to return the device using a prepaid shipping label or QR code supplied by the caller. Police say those labels redirect the devices to the scammers instead of the telecommunications provider.<\/p>\n

Victims can be left responsible for thousands of dollars in device financing, outstanding balances and monthly service fees.<\/p>\n

Police advise people to verify any unexpected upgrade or return instructions directly with their telecommunications provider using an official website, app, verified phone number or in-store representative.<\/p>\n

Fraudsters advertise apartments or other rental properties online and arrange for prospective tenants to view the unit before asking them to sign rental agreements and send deposits.<\/p>\n

In some cases, victims may even meet people at the property who claim to be the current tenants or representatives of the landlord, making the listing appear legitimate.<\/p>\n

After sending money by e-transfer, victims later discover the apartment is unavailable and the person posing as the landlord can no longer be contacted.<\/p>\n

Police recommend independently verifying the identity of landlords and property owners before sending money and avoiding pressure to sign agreements or provide deposits without completing proper checks.<\/p>\n

Residents are receiving text messages or emails claiming they have unpaid municipal parking tickets and directing them to a link to pay the outstanding balance.<\/p>\n

The messages may appear to come from a local municipality but are actually designed to steal personal or financial information.<\/p>\n

Officials in several Ontario communities have warned that municipalities do not typically notify residents about outstanding parking tickets through unsolicited text messages.<\/p>\n

Individuals are advised not to click links or provide payment information in response to suspicious messages.<\/p>\n

Those unsure whether they have a legitimate parking penalty should contact their municipality directly or use its official website to verify the ticket.<\/p>\n

Fraudsters posing as psychics, fortune tellers or spiritual healers may target people who believe they or their loved ones are facing supernatural danger.<\/p>\n

The scammer builds trust before claiming that the victim or family members could suffer serious harm unless money is paid for rituals, spiritual protection or other services.<\/p>\n

Police say these schemes can involve repeated payments over long periods, with victims manipulated through fear and increasingly serious warnings.<\/p>\n

Anyone who believes they may have been the victim of fraud is encouraged to contact their local police service and report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or through its online reporting system.<\/p>\n

\u2014With files from Karen Longwell and Glenn Hendry.\u00a0<\/p>\n


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