OPP Reports - January 20, 2022

Ontario Provincial Police | Jan 19, 2022

Serious Collision on Highway 41

At approximately 5:30 p.m. on January 12, officers of the Lennox & Addington (L&A) County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a single vehicle collision on Highway 41 north of Skootamatta Lake Road.   

The driver of a vehicle was located by EMS with serious injuries when the vehicle left the road way.  The driver was transported to hospital by EMS with serious life-threatening injuries.  OPP Technical Collision Investigation (TCI) team and L&A County OPP are continuing the investigation.   

Any person with information regarding the investigation can contact the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) at 1-888-310-1122.

OPP Warn of Potential Scam

L&A County OPP would like to inform the public about a current scam that is being used to prey on victims.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre continues to receive reports from victims who have been contacted by fraudsters claiming to be from their financial institution, law enforcement or one of their online merchants. Suspects claim that there have been suspicious charges on your credit card or in your online account. They claim the charge is either from an online purchase, in store transaction or overseas transfer. They then state they need your credit card information to cancel the transaction.

Many reports indicate that scammers will gain access to the victims' computer to continue the "investigation". Victims are then shown a fraudulent transaction on their online banking account. The scammers state they want the victims' help in an ongoing "investigation" against the criminals who stole their money. The alleged bank investigator and/or law enforcement official indicates they will send victims a deposit of funds, for the victims to send overseas as part of the "investigation". It is not until the transfers are completed that the victims realize funds were never deposited into their account.

Warning Signs - How to Protect Yourself

• Calls from Bank Investigator scammers tend to happen early in the morning when a victim is still sleeping or not alert.
• Financial institutions or online merchants will never request transferring funds to an external account for security reasons.
• Criminals use Call-Spoofing to mislead victims. Do not assume that phone numbers appearing on your call display are accurate.
• Never provide remote access to your computer.
• If you get an incoming call claiming to be from your financial institution tell the caller that you will call them back. End the call and dial the number on the back of your card from a different phone if possible or wait 10 minutes before making the outgoing call.  
• Learn more tips here Protect yourself from scams and fraud (antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca)

Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre's here Report fraud and cybercrime (antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca) or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. If not a victim, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre anyways.

Ice Safety - If in Doubt, Don't Go Out!

The OPP would like to remind everyone that even though there is ice on area lakes and rivers and it may look good…BEWARE!

Ice on rivers and lakes may become extremely dangerous. No ice is without some risk!

• Ice Fishing, walking, and cross country skiing, all require at least 4" of New Clear Hard Ice.(for one person)
• One snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle, both require, at least 5" of New Clear Hard Ice.(for one person)
• One vehicle, car or small pick-up, all require, at least 8" to 12" of New Clear Hard Ice.
• One vehicle, medium truck, requires, at least 12" to 15" of New Clear Hard Ice.

Always, check the ice in several places before traveling onto it. Wear a floatation suit, and carry ice picks. If you go onto the ice, expect the unexpected. Be prepared to get wet and cold and be prepared to rescue yourself. Don't endanger anyone else. If you're travelling in a group, keep good spacing so that if one person goes into the water the others don't.