The Upper Ottawa Valley (UOV) OPP detachment is aware of a bank investigator scam operating in the area. A resident of Petawawa recently lost more than $400 to a scammer.
Fraudsters call impersonating an online seller, bank staff or law enforcement claiming the individual’s bank account is compromised. The caller applies pressure to try to convince the victim to transfer funds, often by untraceable digital currency such as Bitcoin, to a “secure” account.
“They create artificial urgency, often instructing victims to use Bitcoin automated teller machines (ATM),” states a release from UOV OPP.
The scam
Potential victims will receive a call, text or email from someone they don’t know claiming to be from fraud department of the victim’s bank, an online merchant or law enforcement.
The caller tells the victim there are fraudulent transactions happening on the victim’s account and are calling as a part of the investigation.
The caller will tell the vicitm that to “protect” their funds, they need to convert cash into digital currency, “often via a Bitcoin ATM.”
The fraudster will direct the victim to transfer funds to a specified digital wallet – digital currencies are maintained in online digital wallets – or use a QR code to link to a transfer address.
Victims are warned not to contact their bank or retailer on the claim that bank or retail staff may be involved. The warning is, “a common tactic to prevent you from getting help.”
Victims only realize after funds are transferred that the call was a scam.
How to protect yourself
Financial institutions or online retailers will never call asking you to transfer funds to another, external account.
Anyone receiving such a call should inform the caller they will call back. Call the toll-free number on the back of your credit card or debit card. Use a different phone or wait at least 10 minutes before making the call to ensure the previous call is broken.
Fraudsters use “spoofing” technology. Spoofing is the practice of using a real phone number on the call display, even though the caller is not calling from that number.”Do not assume that phone numbers appearing on your call display are accurate,” the release notes.
Never give anyone you do not know or do not trust remote access to your computer or phone.
If you belierve you have been approached by a scammer, call your local police and provide as much information as possible. Alternatively, call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre on 1-888-495-8501 or report online at antifraudcentre.ca.
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