SCAM ALERT: Fraudulent financial services letter

May 14, 2025

Police are advising the public of a scam that has been recently reported.

The Thunder Bay Police Service Economic Crime Unit was recently contacted and provided information about the occurrence.

 

A letter was addressed to a deceased individual, purportedly from a financial services company, advising that the individual was owed funds that had yet to be paid.

 

The letter provided a phone number to contact for the payment to be issued. The provided phone number is not visible anywhere on the company's website.

 

In addition, the letter and envelope do not appear to be legitimate, with the content of the letter not seeming to be of an expected professional standard and the letterhead not appearing to be genuine.

 

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.

 

For further information about various frauds and scams that may be circulating, please visit the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre online at: https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm

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