TORONTO, Feb. 9, 2017 /CNW/ - The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) is warning consumers about a mail scam conducted involving an unlicensed insurance company: TD Insurance, Melohre Mannex.
Although this company may have a similar name to a licensed insurance company, they are not registered or affiliated with FSCO or the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO).
This entity appears to have issued notices advising recipients that they are among the winners of a Home Phone Mega Sweepstakes Raffle.
The company claims to be working on behalf of the North America Financial Clearing Services to find winners that have not claimed their winnings and to help them navigate the laws and protocols mandated by federal and state regulations on sweepstakes winnings.
The company sends the recipient a cheque to help pay taxes, insurance, handling and shipping fees – and urges the recipient to contact the claims representative listed on the document to activate the cheque and start the claims process.
This type of scam is commonly known as an advance fee fraud. The office addresses provided on the notices are often false locations.
FSCO's website contains a list of all insurance companies and agents licensed to do business in Ontario. RIBO's website contains a list of all brokers licensed to do business in Ontario.
Consumers should exercise caution if they receive unsolicited correspondence advising of lottery, sweepstakes or raffle winnings, and are encouraged to forward copies of the materials received to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Additional information:
What to do if you think you are a victim of a scam or fraud
SOURCE Financial Services Commission of Ontario
For media inquiries, please contact: Malon Edwards, Senior Communications Officer, Telephone: 416-590-7536, Toll free: 1-800-668-0128, ext. 7795, Fax: 416-590-7070, TTY Toll Free: 1-800-387-0584, Email: [email protected]; Public inquiries: 1-800-668-0128, [email protected]
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