Senior-targeting Fraudsters Posing As Bank Theft Investigators

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The Ontario Provincial Police have received many reports of financial scams targeting seniors and other vulnerable people across the province in recent weeks.

Police say that in this scam, individuals claiming to be investigators from one of Canada’s chartered banks convince victims to withdraw funds for use as evidence to assist with a bogus theft investigation involving bank personnel. After the money is withdrawn and handed over to the phoney bank inspector, the victim is told to go home and wait for a call confirming the money has been re-deposited in their account, but Police say that the call never comes.

In several recent cases, seniors have complied and were subsequently defrauded of thousands of dollars.

OPP are reminding the public that neither your financial institution nor a police investigator will ever ask you to withdraw money from your account or assist with an undercover investigation. It is also vitally important that the incident be reported if it does occur say the OPP. This is to allow police to investigate and charge the perpetrators.

If you suspect you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, contact your local police service, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501, or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).