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If it sounds too good to be true, it likely is.

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That’s one of the tips Brant OPP is offering to area residents in light of two scams over the holiday season that are currently under investigation.

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Police say one Brant resident lost $100,000 while another is out $250,000 as the result of a fake investment opportunity that promised large returns.

“Tech-savvy scammers use technology to create very convincing schemes to trick you into sending them money,” said Jonathan Bueckert, media relations officer for Brant OPP. “They will commonly use the name of a real company to gain your trust so that you will send money or personal information to them.

“Fraud is a multi-million-dollar enterprise that will only end when they stop making money.”

Here are a few tips to protect yourself from a fraud artist:

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–       You can’t win a contest that you didn’t enter in the first place.

–       Gift cards are a red flag. If someone contacts you and directs you to buy gift cards, hang up the phone.

–       Your best defence is to verify any unsolicited contact, meaning you didn’t request it.

–       Do not allow remote access to your computer to a “tech” who calls you out of the blue.

–       If are concerned about your computer, take it to a reputable repair shop.

More information about fraud can be obtained by calling the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or visit www.antifraudcentre.ca.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

Anonymous tips can be provided by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.cstip.ca where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

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