OPP Warns North Bay Residents over Continuing CRA Scam

Ontario Provincial Police in North Bay is issuing a warning to residents in the north of the province about a public aware scam. The con sees fraudsters pose as a representative from the Canada Revenue Agency, with numerous examples of the scam reported so far.

The so-called CRA scam is targeting vulnerable victims where criminals pose as the revenue agency and contacts victims via telephone, mail, text message or email. Through the communication, the caller pretends that the CRA needs important information such as credit card number, band account details, identification numbers, or social insurance number.

Ontario police are warning that any caller pretending to be the CRA and asking for overly-personal information should be ignored and reported. If ever in doubt, do not respond to such calls and ask for information regarding the caller, or even call back the CRA to check the call was legitimate.

OPP says the criminals apparently want identification and sometimes ask for customers to pay false outstanding taxes that need to be covered through a credit or debit card. Consumers are warned that the CRA would not demand such payments over the phone in this manner, so any calls demanding payment on the spot should be reported.

Some victims report that the callers use excessive language to make customers think that they simply must pay the money or risk legal action or even prison.

“If you believe that someone is posing as a Canada Revenue Agency official, hang up and contact your local police service. You can also file a complaint through the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or online at tipsubmit.com.”

OPP Says Driver Deaths Rose in 2015

The roads around North Bay and across Ontario as a whole are more dangerous, with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stating that more people were killed in 2015 compared to 2014.

Data released by the regional police confirms 299 people were killed across the province in road collisions, 11 more than the 288 killed through 2014.

Driver error is still the number one cause of fatalities on Ontarian roads, with 260 down to the behavior of drivers. However, the OPP said the four most common causes of death on the roads were all down, alcohol/drugs, inattentive driving, speed and no seat belts.

45 of the deaths were related to alcohol/drug use in 2015 compared to 52 in 2014 and 69 people were killed due to inattentive driving through the year, a decrease from 82 the previous year. During 2015, deaths related to speeding numbered 61, compared to 64 in 2014 and 51 fatalities were attributed to not wearing seat belts last year, down slightly from 53 in 2014.

Alcohol/drug related deaths on Ontario’s highways were at their lowest in over a decade, while inattentive driver deaths were at their lowest since 2009. The higher death rate overall through the year is because there were more major collisions involving three or more fatalities. In fact, the OPP says these types of incidents were up more than four time.

“The OPP are concerned that more people died in road crashes in 2015 than in the previous year. We are encouraged to see lower numbers in all of the Big Four fatality causal factor categories, but we need to see drivers keep this downward trend going. There is no worse place to take risks, exercise poor judgement and make mistakes than behind the wheel,” said OPP Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair, Provincial Commander of Traffic Safety and Operational Support.

OPP Chief Superintendent Chuck Cox, Commander of the Highway Safety Division said there is a much bigger picture that goes beyond those who tragically lost their lives.

“The devastation and grief that unfold following the death of a human being, let alone multiple human beings in a road crash can resonate across an entire community and have a tremendous impact on the well-being of that community,” he said.

OPP advice on protecting home from theft

SONY DSCA spate of home thefts in the North Bay and Northern Ontario area have led to the Provincial Police (OPP) reminding residents to make their homes safe when out.

This is a time when many North Bay residents may leave on winter vacation, and the OPP is offering concise advice on taking care of your home when away. The police says you should take care to stop mail services and ask neighbors or friends you trust to perform other tasks. The OPP also offers the following tips on protecting your home:

DETER BREAK-INS
Equip your entry doors with deadbolts and lock windows.
Install outdoor motion-sensor lights.
Install a home/commercial security system and display the alarm company’s decal.
Keep garage doors secured.
Store bicycles inside garages and sheds.

ALWAYS APPEAR TO BE HOME
Make your home appear occupied when you are away. Install timers to internal and external lights, stop mail service and ask a neighbor you trust to take care of your garbage.
Keep your landscaping groomed and limit privacy fencing.
If you are away, do NOT announce your absence over social media.

SECURE YOUR VEHICLE
Never leave your vehicle running unattended.
Lock all doors even at home.
Remove valuables or keep them out of sight, even in your garage.
Close windows and park in well-lit areas.
Use a steering wheel locking devices.

Despite all measures it is still possible that your home may be burgled while you are on vacation or merely our. Home insurance is a great way to protect your belongings and give you peace of mind if the worst ever happens. Knox Insurance Brokers can give you quick quotes from over 25 isnurance providers in the North Bay area, giving you access to brokers who work with you to get you the best coverage at the best price.

Ontario Provincial Police clamping down on seatbelt use

Closeup of young man fastening seat belt in the carDrivers in North Bay and across Ontario are being encouraged to buckle up as Ontario Provincial Police is clamping down on drivers who are not wearing their seat belts.

So often such initiatives are focused on drivers, but the police have said they are also targeting passengers in cars this time around.

“Adult seat belt use is the most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries in motor vehicle collisions,” says OPP Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair. “Yet thousands of adults still do not wear their seat belts on every trip. Not wearing a seat belt can be a fatal decision even on short, familiar journeys and at low speeds.

“We know that enforcement of seat belt laws does make a difference in getting more people to buckle up, so OPP officers will be diligent during this campaign.”

Drivers can now expect a fine of $240 and two demerit points on their license for seat belt infractions, while passengers of 16 year old or over must also buckle up or face a fine. OPP said that parents should also make sure that passengers under 16 years of age are properly secured with a belt, booster seat, or other appropriate equipment considering their age, height, and weight.

Road accident deaths where a vehicle occupant was not wearing a seat belt reached 42 so far this year, which is up from 34 through the same period in 2014. Between September 7 and 13, seven people were killed in Ontario who were not wearing a seat belt.

Young drivers are especially at risk as the 16 to 24 age group tends to be more negligent about wearing a seat belt. You drivers represent 13 per cent of all drivers on the road, but manage to account for 24 per cent of all fatal deaths on the roads. There is a direct link between auto accident death and an occupant not wearing a seat belt, with 45.5 percent of all drivers killed on the road in Canada through 2014 not wearing a belt.