Beware of phone scams circulating in RR District

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Beware of a scam that is now circulating in the Rainy River District.
A member of the Lake of the Woods Fire Department, Karen Sepers, contacted the Record last week with a report of someone phoning people asking for money to support the "Morson Fire Dept."
While the Morson Fire Dept. is now the LoW Fire Dept. Sepers said they are not currently conducting a phone around to raise money and suspects it is fraud.
O.P.P. Community Services Officer Anne McCoy told the Record that it likely is fraud and that another report came in to them of someone calling asking for money to support the Emo O.P.P. detachment. It too is fraud.
McCoy said, "I would advise anyone who receives a call or letter requesting money for any agency not to give out any money over the phone or respond by mail. If people wish to give money to a worthy cause they I would advise they initiate the call themselves and contact the respective agency themselves to make their own arrangements rather than relying or trusting another person to do it for them.
People should also report suspected fraud to the O.P.P. and/or Phone Busters. The O.P.P. number is 274-3322 and Phone Busters is toll free at 1-888-495-8501.
McCoy said you can also find out if a charity is registered for tax purposes by calling 1-800-267-2384 or look on the web at www.cra.gc.ca/charities.