OPP is warning residents about a bank impersonation scam after a victim in Peterborough County lost more than $14,000.
According to OPP, the incident was reported March 13 and involved a resident in Douro-Dummer Township.
Police say the victim received a phone call March 11 from someone claiming to be from their bank. The caller told the victim their credit card had been used fraudulently in another province and instructed them to place their debit and credit cards in an envelope.
The victim was then given a reference number to write on the envelope and told to leave it outside their home so it could be collected as part of the bank’s investigation. Police say an individual attended the residence around 11:30 p.m. and picked up the envelope.
The following day, the victim was contacted again and asked additional personal questions. It was later discovered that more than $14,000 had been transferred from the victim’s account.
Police say a similar incident was reported earlier in March, when another resident was convinced to cut up their cards and leave them outside for collection. In that case, the victim realized it was a scam and cancelled their cards before losing any money.
OPP remind residents that banks will never ask customers to hand over their cards or send someone to pick them up.
Police also warn that caller ID can be spoofed to appear as though the call is coming from a legitimate source.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)