Residents are being warned about a bank impersonation scam after a recent incident in Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Township.
The Ontario Provincial Police Peterborough County detachment says it received a report March 5 from a community member who had been targeted by fraudsters posing as bank representatives.
Police say the victim received a phone call from someone claiming their bank account had been compromised. The caller kept the person on the phone for nearly three hours and convinced them to cut up their bank cards while leaving the chip intact. The scammer then arranged for someone to come to the victim’s home to collect the cards.
After the cards were picked up, the victim contacted their bank and realized the call had been a scam. The cards were cancelled before any money was taken.
Police say scammers often use caller ID spoofing so the call appears to come from a legitimate bank number. During the call, fraudsters may claim suspicious transactions have occurred and attempt to gain the victim’s trust before asking them to cut up their cards and reveal their PIN.
Investigators say the chip on a bank card contains data that, combined with a PIN, can allow scammers to access accounts and withdraw funds.
The OPP remind residents that banks will never ask customers to hand over their cards or send someone to pick them up, and they will never request a PIN over the phone.
Anyone who receives a suspicious call is advised to hang up and contact their bank directly using the phone number on the back of their card.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted by a scam is encouraged to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
