Although this warning originates from the Richmond RCMP, it is equally relevant for the Trail area, as con artists know no boundaries.
The Richmond police recently issued a cautionary note about a scam where fraudsters collect bank cards in person to defraud victims.
Since the initial warning last month, the Richmond RCMP has reported three new cases of this scam targeting residents.
In this scheme, victims receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from their bank’s fraud department.
The caller states that the victim’s card has been compromised and offers to send someone to collect it.
A fraudster then visits the victim’s residence, collects the bank cards, and promises that replacement cards will be delivered in person the next day.
After obtaining the cards, the fraudster transfers funds from the victim’s accounts.
In some cases, police suspect the fraudsters already know victims’ addresses.
They often target older adults, as some residents’ home phone numbers and addresses are publicly available in phone directories.
“This scam is especially concerning because it involves direct, in-person contact, which makes it look more legitimate,” warns Cpl. Denise Kam of the Richmond RCMP Economic Crime Unit.
“We want the public to be aware and take steps to protect themselves.”
Tips to protect yourself:
• Be cautious of unsolicited calls, especially those requesting personal or financial information.
• If someone claims to be from your bank, ask for their internal reference or file number and call back using the official phone number listed on your financial documents or the bank’s website.
• Remove personal information from public platforms, such as social media and phone directories, to reduce the risk of exploitation.
• Never share your bank or credit card PIN with anyone.
• If you suspect your card has been compromised, contact your bank directly using the phone number listed on your card.
• Do not hand over your bank cards to anyone. Safely dispose of expired or compromised cards yourself.
• Remember, replacement cards are never hand-delivered to your home. They are either mailed to you or sent to a local branch for pickup.
The RCMP emphasizes that raising awareness and educating the public are the most effective ways to prevent individuals from falling victim to scams.
If you believe you’ve been a victim of fraud, report the incident to your local police jurisdiction.
