Mar 4: Local News + Fraud Warnings from OPP
Plus: Updates and news on GOST bus service, Grey County job fair results, Chamber of Commerce, and more
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March is the OPP’s Fraud Prevention Month, and I’m giving this top billing today due to the large volume of reports we receive from police about scams and frauds.
Grey Bruce OPP said yesterday they’ve responded to 72 fraud calls since January 1, 2025, even as they acknowledge that most victims of fraud never report it.
In 2024, Ontario victims reportedly lost more than:
$102.7 million to investment fraud
$19 million to romance fraud
$14.8 million to job scams
$6.8 million to fraudulent extortion schemes
Nationally, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) reported record-breaking fraud reports totalling $642 million in victim losses in 2024, far surpassing the previous record of $578 million in 2023.
Grey Bruce OPP shared the following tips and red flags for residents to watch for:
Take your time. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting quickly. Slow down and stay in control of your information.
Keep personal details private. Never share personal or financial information with someone you don’t know or trust.
Trust your instincts. If a call, website, or interaction makes you uncomfortable, hang up or exit immediately.
Avoid clicking suspicious links. Never click on links sent through unsolicited emails, text messages, or social media. Legitimate organizations, such as the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), will never ask for personal or financial details this way.
Visit official websites directly. Always navigate to legitimate services by typing the web address yourself instead of using links provided in messages.
Never send money to strangers. Be cautious of urgent payment requests through money transfers, gift cards (such as iTunes, Google Play, or Amazon), or cryptocurrency. These are major red flags—if asked, end the call or web session immediately.
For more information on fraud prevention, visit opp.ca and sfo.opp.ca. If you suspect fraud or have been a victim, report it to your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501, or online via the Fraud Reporting System.
Public Notices
The City’s Corporate Services Committee meets on Thursday, March 6, at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. On the agenda: committee orientation and 2025 workplans, an update on tenders and contracts between $50,000 and $249,000 awarded in H2 2024, a communication strategy for the 2025 Asset Management Plan, and more. See the agenda here.
City postpones March 5th Strategic Planning Ad-hoc Committee Meeting; new date TBD
Local News
Keep reading for local events, our original reporting, and curated local news updates. Today, you’ll find an update on the status of the Owen Sound Guelph Transit route now that provincial grants are expiring, a parent’s concerns about BWDSB cancelling last semester’s exams, news from the Chamber of Commerce, a post-event update on the Grey County job fair held recently, and a lot more.
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~ Miranda Miller, Editor
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