The Ottawa Police Department has recently received reports of scams involving bitcoin and gift card payments. Common scams include fake rental listings on facebook marketplace and phone calls claiming you missed jury duty. The callers say you can take care of the issue by paying a fine in bitcoin.
Your attention please!!!! Ottawa Police say no legitimate business, court, or law enforcement agency will ever require payment using bitcoin, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. If someone pressures you to act quickly, threatens arrest, or demands payment this way — it is a scam.
Protect yourself: don’t send money, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Don’t share personal information. Verify rental listings in person. If you have any questions, contact the court or agency directly using a known phone number.
