Patrick Brown warns of phishing scams involving people impersonating him

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown is warning the public about a phishing scam involving people impersonating him.

In a statement released Friday night, Brown says the scammers are using email and text messages purported to be from him in order to obtain personal and financial information.

It’s become the silly season of political tricks and scams. Beware of unusual phishing emails in Brampton. If you are a victim of a fraud, please report to your local @PeelPolice Division to file a Fraud Report. ???????? pic.twitter.com/0DZa7tok1Y

— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownont) October 15, 2022

“Not I or my campaign are asking anyone to contribute through any kind of gift card scheme,” said Brown. “Donations to my campaign are made according to the rules.”

Brown says they have reported the scams to police for further investigation and are asking anyone who may have also been contacted using the phishing scam to do the same.

Brown added he’s unaware if the identity theft, impersonation and fraud is part of regular criminal activity or “political dirty tricks” being played by one of the other campaigns.

Heated race for mayor in Brampton

The news comes as the race for mayor in the City of Brampton is heating up.

A telephone survey conducted by Campaign Research on behalf of candidate Nikki Kaur shows she is in a statistical dead heat with Brown for the mayor’s post with just 10 days left in the campaign.

With only 258 respondents polled since October 13, Kaur and Brown are tied with 32 per cent support with 25 per cent of respondents saying they are undecided. Brown continues to enjoy the support of males 35 and older while he holds a very slight edge with males between 18 and 34. Kaur is heavy favourite among females 18 to 34 and four points ahead of Brown among women in the 35 to 54 age group.

Campaign organizers say Kaur has overcome a 35 point deficit to Brown since the campaign started and they expect her support to continue to grow ahead of the October 24 election.

“Change is truly upon us here in Brampton. Residents understand that we cannot afford another four years of an unethical and arrogant outsider who is using Bramptonians tax dollars as his personal bank account,” read a statement from Kaur. “Enough is enough.”

Vidya Sagar Gautam, Tony Moracci, Bob Singh and Prabh Kaur Mand are also campaigning to replace Brown as mayor.