GUELPH – Residents are reminded to be cautious and not provide personal information to strangers after a Guelph man had more than $67,000 withdrawn from his bank account.
This week, the man reported he was contacted March 11 by someone calling from a toll-free number.
Police say the caller advised the man he had won a prize through a Reader’s Digest contest. In the course of the conversation the complainant provided the caller his bank account details and social insurance number.
Over the next two months, more than $67,000 was transferred from the complainant’s bank to an unknown account.
The investigation is ongoing.
Residents are encouraged to be wary of any telephone call, email or text which requires you to take immediate action. It is always best to independently contact the supposed sender and confirm the legitimacy of the correspondence before taking action. Never provide personal information to someone you don’t know.
Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. Even if no financial loss has been sustained, interactions can still be reported to the CAFC.
