GUELPH –
Guelph police are warning the public about a Bitcoin scam, after two similar incidents in two weeks.
Police say a 68-year-old man contacted them Saturday afternoon, who told them he had been contacted by someone claiming to represent the Canada Border Services Agency.
They told him that a package with his name had been intercepted at the border and they found illegal substances inside.
He was told to deposit $ 3,900 into a Bitcoin ATM while the caller was on the line.
The man said he became suspicious when the caller demanded more money from a line of credit and hung up.
Less than two weeks ago, police say a 27-year-old Guelph woman lost nearly $ 8,000 in the same scam.
Police are warning the public that payments made with Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies are nearly untraceable and have tips to help you recognize a scam.
They say that you should never give information to a caller that you don’t know and that you don’t click on the links provided in text messages or emails from people you don’t know.
If the caller claims to be from an agency, such as Canada Border Services or the Canada Revenue Agency, hang up, find the number yourself, and call the agency again.
Police say that scammers will use many methods, including threats, to try to force you to act quickly, and that no government agency will require payment with gift cards or cryptocurrencies.
Reference-kitchener.ctvnews.ca