Fraudsters are posing as bank officials, visiting people's homes and getting their bank cards, warns the Richmond RCMP.
As outlined by the RCMP, the scheme involves a victim getting a call from someone claiming to be an investigator from the fraud department of a banking institution.
The fraudster then advises the victim their banking cards have been compromised and they request their address so the banking institution can send someone to their residence, collect them and hand-deliver their replacement cards to them the next day.
The fraudster then goes the victim’s home to collect their banking cards, with a promise that they will deliver their replacement cards in person the next day.
After obtaining their bank cards, the fraudster then transfers funds from the victim’s accounts.
“By informing the public of these types of scams we hope to reduce the likelihood of others falling for similar schemes,” said Richmond RCMP media spokesperson Cpl. Kenneth Lau.
“Providing personal information to unverified callers could result in you being further targeted by fraudsters in their criminal activity.”
Tips to protect yourself from banking card frauds
- Be skeptical of unsolicited phone calls from unknown numbers, especially those requesting your personal information.
- Never share your credit card or banking card PIN verbally with anyone.
- If you believe your credit or banking card has been compromised, contact the phone number on the card itself for more information.
- Never provide your banking cards to anyone to dispose of them.
- Replacement cards will never be hand-delivered to your residence: they will either be sent to your address by mail or delivered to a local financial institution for you to pick up after verifying your identity.
For information on recognizing and avoiding becoming a victim of fraud and for a list of common scams, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.
If you believe you are a victim of a fraud, report the incident to your police of jurisdiction.
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