Three new cases of bank investigator scams in Richmond have been reported to police since December.
Richmond RCMP initially warned the community on Dec. 5 that fraudsters have been posing as bank officials, visiting people's homes and getting their bank cards.
In the scheme, victims receive a phone call from someone claiming to be an investigator from their bank's fraud department.
The fraudster then tells the victim their bank card has been compromised and offers to send someone to collect it while promising a replacement card will be delivered the next day.
After the fraudster gets hold of the card, funds are transferred from the victim's accounts.
Richmond RCMP said they suspect the fraudsters already know victims' addresses and appear to be targeting the older demographic as some residents have their home phones and addresses listed in public phone directories.
This scam is especially concerning because it involves direct, in-person contact, which makes it look more legitimate,
said Cpl. Denise Kam with Richmond RCMP's Economic Crime Unit.
We want the public to be aware and take steps to protect themselves.
Cpl. Adriana O'Malley, media relations officer at Richmond RCMP, said the goal is to reduce the number of people impacted by this scam through public information.
"Awareness and education are the most effective ways to prevent becoming a victim," said O'Malley.
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 how to recognize a fraud, avoid becoming a victim 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.
-with files from Maria Rantanen
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