Are you a fraud victim?

• If you’ve sent money or financial information to a suspected fraudster, contact your bank immediately to report the scam.
• Victims are also advised to report the scam to the North Bay Police Service, or to your local police if you live outside of the City of North Bay.

Were you the target of a scam but did not fall victim?

Help the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by reporting scams if you have been targeted. Based in North Bay and jointly managed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Competition Bureau, and the Ontario Provincial Police, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is the central agency in Canada that collects information and criminal intelligence on such matters as telemarketing fraud, advance fee fraud, Internet fraud and identification theft complaints. Its primary goal is crime prevention through education and awareness, disruption of criminal activities, dissemination of intelligence, support to law enforcement and strengthening partnerships between the private and public sectors.

Ongoing scams

There are many known scams, pitches and fraud types with new ones invented every day. We invite residents of North Bay to visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s website for recent fraudulent activities. An equally useful guide is the Little Black Book of Scams.

Door-to-door sales contracts

Know your rights as they relate to door-to-door sales contracts

In accordance with municipal bylaws, door-to-door salespersons must have a valid licence before conducting business in the City of North Bay. If salespersons arrive at your door to sell you a service or product, immediately ask to see their photo identification and their City of North Bay’s door-to-door sales/service licence. Know your rights before signing a sales contract at your door. Visit Consumer Protection Ontario for more information.

Inheritance letter scam

Did you get a letter in the mail addressed to your name from an "accountant" or a "lawyer" claiming that you may be related to a deceased millionaire with no known relatives to collect a significant inheritance? This is known as the inheritance letter scam and the millionaire does not exist. Fraudsters who send these letters are looking to get your personal and banking information. Don't fall victim.

See example of the fraudulent letter recently sent to a local resident:

Example of an inheritance scam letter