NEWS RELEASE WELLINGTON COUNTY OPP
(GUELPH-ERAMOSA TOWNSHIP, ON) – Police are urging residents to stay alert to credit card scams happening within the county.
On January 5, 2026, at approximately 1:00 p.m., a member of the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report from a Rockwood resident regarding a fraud.
The victim was contacted by an unknown individual, claiming to be a representative from a local bank. The caller “spoofed” their call display, so it would appear to the victim that they were calling from a legitimate financial institution. The caller advised the victim that their bank account was allegedly involved in fraudulent activity. The caller further stated that, to stop the fraud, they would need to scan the victim’s physical cards to determine the source of the issue. The caller directed the victim to place their bank cards in an envelope for a courier to collect from their residence.
Within an hour, a brown male with a medium build and black hair, wearing gold jewelry and driving a white Tesla Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) attended the victim’s residence to collect the cards. Photo of vehicle attached for reference.
The next morning, the victim’s actual bank notified the victim of suspicious activity and denied bank withdrawals from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Brampton, and Pickering. The victim’s total loss is estimated to be over $25,000.
The Wellington County OPP is requesting anyone with information to call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to be anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers Guelph Wellington at www.csgw.tips or toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS or 8477. If your information leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.
Ontario Provincial Police Occurrence #: E260018469.
A similar incident occurred on January 7, 2026, involving a victim from Guelph-Eramosa, who was contacted by a fraudster claiming to be from a fraud investigator’s office. The caller suggested the victim’s credit card had been subject to fraudulent activity and provided the victim with a new fake credit card number.
The caller instructed the victim to cut up their credit card before leaving it in their mailbox for a courier to collect. Police have little information regarding this incident at this time, as it is still under investigation.
What are Credit Card Scams?
Credit card fraud, otherwise known as “bank investigator fraud”, happens when someone steals your credit card, credit card information or your Personal Identification Number (PIN) and uses it without permission to obtain money, goods or services. This can occur through various means, including obtaining cards through phishing schemes, hacking into financial systems or by stealing physical cards.
Tips to Protect Yourself:
- Criminals often use call-spoofing to mislead victims. Do not assume that phone numbers appearing on your call display are accurate.
- If you get an incoming call claiming to be from your financial institution, advise the caller that you will call them back. End the call and dial the number on the back of your bank card.
- Credit bureaus will not randomly call you, unless it is a requested call back. If you receive an incoming call claiming to be from a credit bureau, advise the caller that you will call them back. Visit the credit bureau’s website and contact the official phone number provided.
- These institutions or law enforcement will never threaten you over the phone.
- Online merchants or institutions will never request that you transfer funds to an external account or third party.
- Police or institutions will never request you to turn over your bank card nor attend your residence to pick up your bank card.
If you are the recipient of a fraudulent call, text, or email, or if you have been a victim of a fraud, you are not alone. You are encouraged to report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501 or visit http://www.
FRAUD: RECOGNIZE IT. REPORT IT. STOP IT.
