Guelph police say fraudsters are phoning seniors, then sending someone to the door to collect their bank cards and PINs. Thousands of dollars have been spent.
Guelph police are warning about a banking scam aimed at seniors. Fraudsters phone, then send someone to the victim's door to pick up debit and credit cards. Once they have the cards, they use them to make purchases worth thousands of dollars.
It starts with a call from someone who says they found suspicious activity on the person's credit cards. The caller may sound professional and polite. They ask the person to gather all their debit and credit cards, then give the names on the cards, the card numbers and the PINs.
Next, the caller says someone will visit the home to collect the cards, and that replacements will come in the mail. The visitor gives a name and a so-called verification code that the victim heard during the call. In some cases, victims stay on the phone with the original caller while they hand over the cards.
The alert box above lists the steps. The main point is simple: a real bank does not send anyone to collect your cards at your door. Police also ask people to talk with older family members and friends, and to hang up on any call claiming to be from a bank or a credit bureau.
Police said they are getting an increasing number of calls about this scam. The release does not say how many, how much money has been lost, or whether the scam has reached other areas.
No real bank will collect your cards at your door, so hang up on these calls and tell older relatives and friends today.
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