The Lanark County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is alerting residents in Carleton Place and surrounding areas about a new fraud scheme. A male scammer has been targeting homes in the Sarah Street area, falsely claiming that there is a lien on their property and offering to resolve it for an upfront fee, supposedly in coordination with Service Ontario. The fraudster provides a convincing but fake receipt that mimics official government documents.
This scam aims to deceive homeowners into paying for a non-existent service. Residents are advised to ask anyone making such claims to leave their property. If you have any doubts, contact Service Ontario directly for verification.
For protection against unfair practices when signing contracts, refer to the Consumer Protection Act. More information is available at ontario.ca/page/notices-security-interest.
If you believe you’ve been a victim of this fraud, contact local police or, if in OPP jurisdiction, call 1-888-310-1122. For additional assistance, report suspected fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or visit their website for advice on recognizing and avoiding scams.
(Written by: Emma Butler)
