Upper Ottawa Valley OPP is investigating a phishing scam after a business recently reported losing $3,000.
Police said the business’ email was compromised, which resulted in a customer sending payment to a scam artist.
The OPP said fraudsters will often use email spoofing or compromised legitimate accounts, and add to look out for emails that may have the right display name, but the address is slightly altered.
Other warning signs include a sense of urgency and appeal to keep the transaction secret, and unusual requests different than normal business procedures.
Police recommend verifying payment requests through a different mode of communication, like by phone.
They said this kind of scam can have a high financial impact – with reported losses of nearly $68 million last year alone.
