Waterloo Regional Police issued a warning to local college and university students after an increase in email fraud targeting students.
Last week, eight people have reported receiving fraudulent emails from the Canada Revenue Agency.
Students reported receiving an email to their @uwaterloo.ca account. The email would advise that the student is eligible for a tax refund. The student would then fill out personal information to submit a claim.
Waterloo Regional Police have linked 15 other reports of CRA email scams to the University of Waterloo students.
They remind the public that the Canada Revenue Agency will not provide tax refunds through e-transfer. If you receive an email similar to the above, call police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to report the scam. You should also tell your friends and family so they are aware of the new tactic being used by scammers.
More information about frauds can be found online.
JANUARY 14
7:00 PM | Unknown suspects stole a white Ford F150 truck from a rural residence located on Line 47 north of Gads Hill. The keys to the unlocked truck were left in the vehicle along with the owner’s wallet. A banking card belonging to the owner was used in London in the early morning hours. The truck was located later that day abandoned in Tavistock. Police remind owners to remove valuables from their vehicles and ensure it is locked when not in use. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web-tip, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
JANUARY 15
2:30 PM | Waterloo Regional Police received a report of a suspicious vehicle in the area of Barnswallow Drive and Whippoorwill Drive in Woolwich Township. A female youth was walking in the area when a male in a white utility van stopped and tried to engage her in conversation. The male driver is described as white and in his 50s. The youth was not injured as a result of the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 519-570-9777, ext. 6399 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
8:00 PM | Unknown suspects entered a business on Line 86 near Dorking and stole an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was at the business when the theft occurred. Police remind residents to lock their doors to their buildings and homes when not present, as well as to secure their vehicles when not in use. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 1-888-310-1122.
JANUARY 17
4:27 PM | A horse-drawn buggy was being driven by a 32-year-old man from Linwood north on Manser Road in Wellesley Township when he was struck from behind by a blue Ford driven by a 55-year-old man from Mount Forest. Emergency services responded to the collision and assessed the driver of the buggy and his two passengers, a 4- and 2-year-old, at the scene. The 4-year-old was transported to Grand River Hospital with minor injuries. The horse was not injured. The Ford was towed from the scene and the driver was charged with ‘careless driving.’
JANUARY 19
9:57 AM | Waterloo Regional Police responded to Ament Line in Wellesley Township for a collision involving two vehicles. The driver of a pickup truck, a 75-year-old male, was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the commercial motor vehicle was not injured. The impact of the collision caused both vehicles to leave the highway resulting in the pickup truck hitting a tree and the commercial vehicle rolling over into the ditch. Ament Line was closed for approximately one hour while investigators were on scene. The investigation is still ongoing. Any witnesses to the collision, or anyone with information, is asked to contact the Waterloo Regional Police Service’s Traffic unit at 519-570-9777, ext. 8856.
8:29 PM | Perth County OPP patrolling on Road 34 in the Township of Perth East charged a 20-year-old Wellesley Township man with ‘stunt driving. His driver’s licence was suspended for seven days, and his vehicle was impounded for a week. The penalties for stunt driving include six demerit points, a $2,000-$10,000 fine, a possible extended driver’s licence suspension and up to six months in jail.
