Ontario's law-enforcement oversight agency has issued a warning about scammers using its toll-free number.
According to a release issued Monday afternoon, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said it recently became aware of a group using its phone number to make fraudulent calls to residents, threatening people with criminal charges.
"In some cases, the person is told that there is something wrong with their social insurance number and that if they don’t continue with the call by pressing ‘1’ or ‘2’, the person will be charged or jailed," read the release.
The SIU does not make calls to residents asking for any type of personal information. If you receive such a call, report it to your local police or call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
However, if you have any information concerning a case that has been turned over to the SIU, you are still encouraged to call the toll-free number, 1-800-787-8529 or submit your information through the official SIU website.
Residents can also protect themselves, and reduce unwanted telemarketing calls, by signing up for the federal government's Do Not Call list.