Provincial Police are asking you to be mindful of cybercrime.
OPP say as digital technology advances, the cyber realm becomes easier for criminals to exploit and extort victims.
Police say Canadians have lost more than $43 million so far this year to cybercriminals and they stand to lose even more.
There are two common scams to be aware of.
Phishing is a crime that targets victims by simulating a legitimate message from a bank, government department or some other organization.
The attempt is to get confidential information that can be used for criminal purposes.
Another form is a ransomware attack.
That occurs when a cybercriminal infects a victim’s computer system with malware that encrypts the data on the system.
That makes the computer inaccessible and unusable.
Cybercriminals will then demand a ransom in exchange for the decryption key.
If you suspect you have been a victim of any digital or online cybercrime, you should contact local police, OPP, Crime Stoppers or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
