L&A OPP release information on credit card scam

L&A County OPP would like to inform the public about a current scam that is being used to prey on victims.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre continues to receive reports from victims who have been contacted by fraudsters claiming to be from their financial institution, law enforcement or one of their online merchants, according to a release from the OPP.

“Suspects claim that there have been suspicious charges on your credit card or in your online account,” OPP stated. “They claim the charge is either from an online purchase, in-store transaction or overseas transfer. They then state they need your credit card information to cancel the transaction.”

OPP revealed that many reports indicate scammers will gain access to the victims’ computer to continue the “investigation”. Victims are then shown a fraudulent transaction on their online banking account.

According to the OPP, the scammers state they want the victims’ help in an ongoing “investigation” against the criminals who stole their money. The alleged bank investigator and/or law enforcement official indicates they will send victims a deposit of funds, for the victims to send overseas as part of the “investigation”. It is not until the transfers are completed that the victims realize funds were never deposited into their account, OPP said.

The L&A OPP offered the following warning signs and ways to protect yourself

• Calls from Bank Investigator scammers tend to happen early in the morning when a victim is still sleeping or not alert.
• Financial institutions or online merchants will never request transferring funds to an external account for security reasons.
• Criminals use Call-Spoofing to mislead victims. Do not assume that phone numbers appearing on your call display are accurate.
• Never provide remote access to your computer.
• If you get an incoming call claiming to be from your financial institution tell the caller that you will call them back. End the call and dial the number on the back of your card from a different phone if possible or wait 10 minutes before making the outgoing call.  
• Learn more tips here: Protect yourself from scams and fraud (antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca)

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 here Report fraud and cybercrime (antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca) or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. If not a victim, OPP suggest reporting it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre anyways.