Snowmobile safety
As snowmobile season starts in the Renfrew County area the Killaloe Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to remind snowmobile operators that they need to be cautious on trails, lakes and private property.
Anyone choosing to operate a snowmobile is reminded to carry the required documentation, use proper safety equipment and operate their snowmobile in a safe manner.
Some safety tips include:
- Carry a valid driver’s licence or motorized snow vehicle operator’s licence, proof of insurance, proof of snowmobile ownership and have a valid snowmobile trail permit affixed to your sled when on trails.
- Come to a complete stop before entering any roadway and be cautious when crossing roads.
- Obey speed limits and always adjust your speed to the weather and trail conditions.
- Ride SOBER.
- Wear an approved snowmobile helmet.
- Wear appropriate clothing to prevent hypothermia.
- Ensure you cellphone is fully charged.
- Carry a small personal safety kit that includes waterproof matches, pocket knife, compass and whistle.
- Never go out alone and always tell someone your planned destination and your expected time of return.
- Avoid unfamiliar areas at night.
- Regularly inspect your snowmobile to ensure it is in good mechanical condition.
- Use caution on frozen bodies of water and remember that No Ice is Safe Ice.
For more information on snowmobiling and cold water/ice safety please visit:
- Snowmobile Safety – ontario.ca/snowmobilesafety
- Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs – ofsc.on.ca
- Cold water and ice safety – www.lifesavingsociety.com/water-safety/cold-water-and-ice.aspx
Bank investigator scam
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, advise 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.
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 online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.
Yarmel,C.,OPP Killaloe Detachment(2022,Jan.10) MAKE THIS SNOWMOBILE SEASON A SAFE ONE; KILLALOE OPP WARN COMMUNITY OF BANK INVESTIGATORS SCAM [media releases]
