LOCAL ‘BANK FRAUD’ PHONE SCAM YESTERDAY DRAINS SOUTH MUSKOKA VICTIM’S ACCOUNT OF ‘THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS’ AFTER CONVINCING THEM TO TURN OVER CARD TO COURIER AT DOOR

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

MUSKOKA — Police are warning the public about further phone scam fraud activity locally.

OPP officers at the south Muskoka detachment say they investigate many reported frauds throughout the year.

But yesterday, on January 5, they received a report of what they call a newer tactic being used by scammers.

The victim said they received a phone call from a person who they believed to be a representative from their banking institution.

Not only did the caller seem knowledgeable, but the number on the victim’s call display matched their bank.

The scammer was able to convince the victim that their account had been compromised and that a courier service was going to attend the victim’s residence and retrieve the associated bank card.

A person did attend the victim’s address, collected the bank card and then went on to drain several thousand dollars from their account, say police.

The OPP report today didn’t mention if the victim also gave the caller their card PIN number.

A courier turned up at the door of the victim, obtaining the bank card before the account was drained of several thousand dollars, say south Muskoka OPP today.

They say fraudsters put a great deal of effort into the tactics used to steal money from victims.

In most situations it involves the use of technology and the transfer of data or digital funds, and this recent report of a person showing up at the victim’s residence is a cause for additional concern.

Police warn that scammers can target anyone

They offer these tips to help protect yourself:

  • Don’t be afraid to say no at any time
  • Slow things down and verify all information with a trusted source
  • Don’t give out personal information including your address, birth date, social insurance number or credit card/banking information
  • Protect your computer and watch for urgent looking messages
  • Protect your online accounts and choose strong passwords
  • Recognize spoofing- fraudsters have the ability to manipulate the phone number appearing on your call display or text messages, even email addresses
  • Be extremely careful about clicking on links received via text message or email

The police investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call Bracebridge OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.crimestopperssdm.com.

For more fraud facts and figures and a downloadable booklet (PDF), visit the Competition Bureau of Canada website at https://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/home or by visiting http://www.opp.ca, Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and Protect yourself from scams and fraud.

 

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