The North Bay Police Service is warning residents about a couple of scams.
The first involves scammers posing as the North Bay Public Library and sending emails demanding payment for overdue fees.
Police say the emails include a link to a payment website where victims are asked to pay the fraudulent fees to the scammers.
“If you receive one of these e-mails, do not click the link and do not pay the alleged overdue fee,” states a release. “The North Bay Public Library does send notices of overdue fees via e-mail, but they do not accept online payments and do not include payment links in their e-mails.”
Police say final notices for overdue fees will always be sent by the North Bay Public Library via traditional mail.
They also suggest calling the library if you receive a suspicious notice to confirm whether or not you have an outstanding fee.
The second advisory involves scammers going door-to-door offering unsolicited and cheap driveway repairs.
With the driveway scam, police say those involved are driving a red Ford F150 truck and going door-to-door.
The Competition Bureau of Canada offers some tips to protect yourself against these types of service scams:
- If someone comes to your door, ask to see some identification. You do not have to let them in, and they must leave if you ask them to.
- Before you decide to pay any money, if you are interested in what a door‑to‑door salesperson has to offer, take the time to find out about their business and their offer.
- Contact the Competition Bureau, provincial and territorial consumer affairs offices or the Better Business Bureau of your province or territory if you are unsure about a seller that comes to your door.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of these or any other scams, contact the North Bay Police Service at 705-497-5555.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.nearnorthcrimestoppers.com.