The Guelph Police Service Fraud Unit is warning residents and businesses about requests for a five digit code that may come from outside callers.
People signing up for certain services on the popular Craigslist Web site need to provide a Canadian or U.S landline for the account.
As part of their security measures, Craigslist sends an automated call to the phone number, providing a five-digit code that must be entered to fully activate the account.
Police say recently businesses have been contacted, telling them that they will be receiving the automated phone call with a five-digit code soon. They ask the person remember the code and say they will call back later to retrieve the code.
No personal information is requested.
The Fraud Unit says one recent incident involved a fake health inspector contacting a business and asking for the code as a reference number.
Police are warning that providing the code, allows the caller to use that phone number on their Craigslist account.
That could provide a false sense of security to people purchasing and trading goods and services with them.
Guelph police are urging residents and businesses to verify who they're speaking with before giving them any information, as well as asking why such information is required.
