SCAM ALERT: Fraudsters demanding gift cards as payment
May 28, 2025
The Thunder Bay Police Service is advising the public that local residents continue to be targeted by phone scams.
Police have received recent reports that residents have received phone calls, where callers have demanded payment in the form of gift cards.
These are scam calls. No legitimate financial agency or institution would ever demand or accept gift cards as an appropriate form of payment.
These cases are very difficult for police to investigate and repayment or reclaiming of lost funds is rare.
The Thunder Bay Police Service’s Economic Crime Unit is urging family members and friends to speak to those who may be vulnerable to being targeted by this type of scam.
If there is concern but uncertainty about whether a phone call is a scam, please hang up and directly contact the institution or agency in question. Look up the contact numbers independently and never use the number provided by a potential fraudster or displayed on caller ID.
The Thunder Bay Police Service is unable to stop these calls from being made. If you are concerned about potential scams and want to learn more, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/)
To make a fraud/cyber crime online report to the Thunder Bay Police Service, please visit: https://www.services.tryrubicon.com/thunder-bay-police-service/online-reports/report/fraud-cybercrime
Police arrested an 18-year-old after responding to a complaint of a vehicle being driven dangerously in the Current River area. Thunder Bay Police Service Primary Response officers were dispatched to Lyon Boulevard East shortly after 10 p.m. on Monday, June 2, after receiving a report of a vehicle being driven onto a walking path and then on a field. Responding officers found a pickup truck flipped on its side on a field at the Current River Community Centre. Officers spoke to the driver of the vehicle and observed multiple signs of impairment. The driver was arrested and taken into custody. An 18-year-old male is charged with Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Operation of a Motor Vehicle While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus), Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and Mischief under $5,000. The accused was released on un undertaking with a future court appearance date.
A 17-year-old faces several charges after two teenagers were robbed at knifepoint over the weekend. Thunder Bay Police Service Primary Response officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of Arthur Street West shortly after 1 a.m. on Sunday, June 1, after receiving a report of a robbery involving a weapon. A male suspect approached two youths, brandishing a knife, and stole a bicycle. Responding officers located a male matching the description of the suspect. The individual did not comply with officer demands and fled. The male was again located nearby, where he was found attempting to break into an Ottawa Street residence. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody. A 17-year-old male has been charged with Robbery, Mischief under $5,000, Trespassing at Night, Resisting a Peace Officer, and Breach of Probation. The identity of the accused cannot be disclosed in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The accused appeared in court and has been remanded into custody with a future appearance date.
Community questions answered We’re happy to answer these questions submitted to news@thunderbaypolice.ca. How does TBPS combat retail thefts? Communities across the country are experiencing retail thefts due complex economic, social, and systemic factors. In one month (April 27 – May 27), TBPS responded to 263 calls related to Thefts. To interrupt this activity, TBPS officers in plain clothes attend stores posing as customers. When they witness theft, officers take suspects into custody. Our Break, Enter and Armed Robbery (BEAR) Unit members spent time monitoring different retail areas over the course of multiple days. This resulted in several arrests for theft, including one of a person who was wanted on a robbery charge. Primary Response officers watch for theft activity while on patrol. Store windows that are free of obstructions such as posters give officers a clear line of sight from the road. Retail spaces can be planned to enhance staff safety and deter criminal activity. Our officers share advice to businesses that helps to open sightlines, improve, reduce hiding spots, increase the chance of detecting suspicious behavior, limit access to high-value or commonly targeted merchandise. How does TBPS help youth stay away from criminal activities? Protecting youth is a priority and shared responsibility. We are pleased to collaborate on activities to keep youth safe. These are just a few examples: School Resource Officers improve student safety in and around schools. They play a key role in building relationships between students and police. In 2024, School Resource Officers delivered 40 presentations to youth regarding Online Safety, Bullying, Gang Prevention and Student Safety. In September 2024, Voices of Resilience: Gang Prevention Through Experience reached about 2,500 grade 7 and 8 students at local and regional schools. Our Community-Oriented Response & Engagement and Community Inclusion Teams engage with members of our community at countless events and activities. Many of these, like the Sk8 Collaborative, are focused on youth. TBPS members participate in Camp Loon – an outreach program for youth between 12 and 18 from remote Indigenous communities in the north. Our involvement provides training in leadership skills and activities which may not be available to them at home. More Action. More Opportunity. Working in a busy municipal police service means every day brings new challenges—and new chances to grow. From frontline response to specialized units, your career path is yours to shape. Serve Where You Live. Protect What Matters Most. Stay close to home while making a real difference. Our officers protect the communities they live in—because there’s no greater motivation than keeping your own streets safe. If you’re looking for a rewarding, exciting and ever-changing career, answer the call. Join our team through either our Cadet or Experienced Officers program. To learn more about career opportunities at TBPS, visit thunderbaypolice.ca/careers.
