OPP warn of bank fraud telephone scam currently active in region

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is alerting the public to an ongoing fraud popping up in the region in which a victim is contacted by phone by an individual claiming to be an employee of a bank.

In recent occurrences, the person identifies the victim by name and tells them their bank information or credit card has been compromised, according to a release from the OPP.

“The fraudster requests personal information including pin numbers and passwords and advises the victim to leave their debit card and credit card in an envelope outside by the front door for pick up and destruction,” OPP said. “In each case, the fraudster has attended the victim’s residence to retrieve the cards.”

OPP provided the following warning signs: 

• Fraudsters will use call-spoofing to mislead victims and have it appear that the call is generated by the bank.
• Do not provide banking passwords or information over the phone to anyone that calls you.
• Calls from fraudsters claiming to be an investigator with a bank tend to happen early in the morning when a victim is sleeping or not fully alert yet.
• If you receive an incoming call from someone claiming to be from your bank, advise them that you will call back. Call the number on the back of your card or attend the bank in person to verify the call. 

If you or someone you know may have been the victim of a fraud, report it to the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) at 1-888-495-8501 or online at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.