The OPP is warning residents to be aware of a scam going on in the area. Over the past couple of weeks members of the James Bay Detachment have received multiple reports of phone scams.

Staff Seargent Baldassare Nuccio says these scam artists will pretend to be from Hydro One or the CRA and ask that you make a payment or face consequences. He says one local business even fell victim to the scam and residents should provide extra caution when processing payments online, over the phone or via e-transfer.

Nuccio says to protect yourself from these scams you should always be alert for anything that doesn’t sound right. He says for the most part local businesses have been targeted but members of the public should be aware of these tactics as well.

Nuccio says in one example the fraudster called a local business pretending to be from Hydro One requesting a bill payment. The business owner however receives their electrical services from Northern Ontario Wires so they were easily able to determine the call was fraudulent.

(Written by: Rudy Kadlec)