The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is urging the public to be on high alert as cybercriminals increase the use of deceptive text message scams to steal personal and financial information. Known as "smishing"—a blend of "SMS" and "phishing"—these scams rely on fraudulent text messages that appear to come from trusted sources.
The messages often impersonate financial institutions, courier services, government agencies, or popular online retailers. Victims who click on the embedded links or call listed numbers may unknowingly install malware, expose sensitive data, or fall prey to identity theft and financial fraud.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) reported nearly 9,500 cases of identity fraud and over 3,900 incidents of personal information theft in 2024 alone, underscoring the scale and severity of the threat.
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How to Stay Safe from Smishing Scams:
Never click on links or call numbers from unknown or suspicious texts.
Forward suspicious messages to 7726 (SPAM) to report them.
Delete any unexpected or suspicious texts immediately.
Keep your device updated, including your operating system and security software.
Enable multi-factor authentication for online banking, email, and social media accounts.
Verify messages by checking official websites or contacting the organization directly.
Anyone who suspects they’ve been targeted or fallen victim to a smishing scam is encouraged to report the incident to their local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or through the Fraud Reporting System at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.
For more information and tips on fraud prevention, visit opp.ca or sfo.opp.ca.
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