Fraudsters in Haldimand don't give during Christmas, they take

This is supposed to be the season of giving, not taking," said Haldimand resident Josh Miller of his recent experience of being scammed.

Miller is one of several in the county to have lost money to fraudsters during the holidays.

It was stupid, but they got me, and I believed it was a good cause," he said.

The 76-year-old said that people were going door-to-door claiming to raise money for the Canadian Mental Health Association.

He has since learned that his tax receipt" was bogus.

I was lucky. I only lost a couple hundred bucks," he said. People have a great deal more."

Team lead for Canadian Mental Health Association Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk Lill Petrella said that fake canvassers were predominantly in the Brantford area, but the agency put out warnings in Haldimand and Norfolk as well.

And how did she learn of the scammers?

It's actually hilarious because they came to my door," she wrote. Wrong house LOL. In addition, I received many calls from neighbours in my area asking about it."

She said that there were several reports on the agency's Facebook page. It was very widespread."

The Canadian Mental Health Association does not hire door-to-door canvassers. Instead, donations can be made online.

Although fake canvassing for Canadian Mental Health Association Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk seems to have stopped for the time being, scammers are always out there looking for any opportunity to fraudulently take people's money," said Petrella. The holidays are a time when people are the most vulnerable, where scammers prey on the generosity of people. Always ask for proper identification."

Certainly fraudulent scams have occurred all year round. In September, a Jarvis resident was almost scammed out of $1,600 after they received a cheque for $2,000 from someone claiming to be an artist. The victim was to keep $400 and send $1,600 to the artist."

The victim contacted the police, who said that it was a case of cybercrime - and that the cheque was fraudulent.

Last week, both the OPP and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre put out a reminder for the public to be wary of fraudsters, and particularly to flag seemingly low prices for holiday rentals and event tickets.

"They need to know that fraudsters pose as genuine sellers and they post fake ads for items that don't exist," said Sue Labelle from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. "Usually it's too good to be true."

Also on the warning list: phoney prize notifications requiring personal information and fees to claim cash or a car, demands for gift cards as payment (which no legitimate business or organization will request) and emergency scams in which a loved one is supposedly in trouble.

The OPP has reminded the public to be aware of the warning signs after a Norfolk victim was scammed out of $20,500 in a computer scam.

Police are urging everyone that owns a computer to be very skeptical if you receive a pop-up message indicating that your computer is infected with a virus or a phone call stating that your computer is running slowly," said Acting Sgt. Ed Sanchuk. Please hang up the phone. It's a scam."

He said that computer users are reminded that unless they initiate the call, they should not allow anyone access to their computer.

Don't give out personal, banking or credit card information to anyone unless you are sure of whom you are dealing with," said Sanchuk. Change your passwords frequently as well.

Reputable agencies will not ask for this information unless you have initiated the call."

Anyone who suspects they've been the victim of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre's online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: With increased holiday requests for compassionate donations, we wanted to know how fraudsters were scamming Haldimand.