Beware Phone Scam Offering Gifts to Guelphites

They say there's no such thing as a free lunch, and neither is their such a things as a free gift from the city for helping them fill out a water quality survey. Officials are warning that if you should happen to get a call offering you a free gift from the city, then you're to be advised that giving them your home address for delivery is a very bad idea indeed. 

Here's the press release from the City of Guelph: 

Guelph, ON, June 23, 2015—The City of Guelph has learned that residents are receiving fraudulent calls from individuals claiming to be from the City. The caller says they are following up on a previous survey about water quality and offer to deliver a thank you gift.

The City does not deliver gifts in response to telephone surveys, nor does the City sell water–related products over the phone or door–to–door. Any City employee visiting a residence will carry photo identification, and anyone being approached by those claiming to represent the City, or asking to enter their home, should request to see official identification.

Residents can protect themselves from fraud by checking that calls or visits from the City are legitimate. Residents can call the City directly at 519-822-1260 to verify the source of the call or the identity of the visitor.

To report a fraudulent communication or victim of fraud, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by email at info@antifraudcentre.ca or call 1-888-495-8501.