With holiday shopping and travel on the rise, the Niagara Regional Police Fraud Unit is urging residents to stay alert to seasonal scams and thefts.
Police warn that distraction thefts often occur in busy areas such as malls and parking lots, where offenders divert attention to steal valuables.
The Fraud Unit also cautions against financial scams involving callers posing as bank representatives.
Legitimate financial institutions will never ask for PINs or passwords, collect cash or bank cards, request help with internal investigations, or instruct clients to transfer money.
(Written by: Brandon Warby)