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The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) is warning residents of an ongoing fraud case involving rent payments and the Palmer Place Seniors Residence in Burlington.
Current and potential residents have been contacted by email and asked to pay rent via e-transfer. In the case of potential residents, they are being advised that a unit has become available and are asked to transfer a cash payment for rent up front, varying from one month up to a year.
Palmer Place has confirmed that these emails are fraudulent and that any current or potential resident would not be asked to pay rent via e-transfer. Police are only aware of ten people who were targeted at Palmer Place; however, there may be additional victims or additional residences targeted in a similar fashion. Unfortunately, some of the victims did send cash before realizing the emails to be fraudulent.
Residents are reminded to exercise extreme caution when receiving unsolicited emails requesting cash or personal information and to do their due diligence prior to responding.
For more information on frauds, scams and safety tips, click here.
Anyone with information or additional victims of this fraud is asked to contact the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2316.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
