NEWS RELEASE GUELPH POLICE SERVICE
Residents are reminded to be careful dealing with unknown individuals after a Guelph senior lost nearly $15,000 in a bank card scam.
On Tuesday evening, police were dispatched to a south-end residence after a Guelph woman reported her mother had been defrauded. The victim, in her 80s, received a call Monday from someone claiming to be from Rogers and offering a reduced rate for services. During the call the victim provided her bank card numbers and PINs.
A few hours later the victim received a call from someone claiming to be from TD instructing her that her bank card had been compromised. Arrangements were made for someone to attend the victim’s residence and collect her debit and credit cards.
Shortly after the male left, the victim received a text from TD about someone attempting to charge $9,000 to her credit card. The victim and her daughter attended TD, where they learned the victim’s debit card had been used to withdrawn more than $14,900 in a series of transactions.
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 anyone until you have confirmed their identity. Banks will never ask you for your PIN.
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.
