The Ontario Provincial Police credit an Essex pharmacy employee who may have protected a customer from becoming a victim of fraud.
Someone working at a drugstore in Harrow called the OPP on October 6 to report a possible fraud attempt, according to Constable Amanda Allen. A pharmacy employee happened to overhear a man in his 60s speaking to someone on the phone and believed he was being directed to purchase gift cards.
Keeping in mind a series of incidents involving scammers impersonating Canada Revenue Agency representatives, the pharmacy declined to sell the gift cards to the customer. Allen said the employee went a step further, got the customer's licence plate, then notified police.
An officer soon went to the customer's home and found him still on the phone with the scammer. The officer helped the man keep his personal banking and credit card information secure, then started an investigation.
The OPP would like to thank the employee for their quick thinking and encourage anyone who spots suspicious activity to get as much information as possible and contact local police.
For the latest information on current fraud trends, visit the official Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.