Credit card and bank scams are on the rise in Nanaimo

Nanaimo

2022-08-24 15:35 PDT

File # 2022

The Nanaimo RCMP is advising the public to be aware of credit card and fraudulent bank scams that are circulating throughout Nanaimo. At least a dozen incidents have been reported within the last five days with losses ranging from $1000 to $2500. Victims ages range from their late 20’s to late 60’s.

Typically, the scam call works like this: A caller receives a telephone call from an individual who claims to work for VISA or a chartered bank. This individual tells the caller that several suspicious transactions have been noted on their account. The caller is then told that the only way to remove these transactions is to purchase gift cards or pre-paid credit cards. One caller was directed to London Drugs to purchase gift cards. Another was sent to Canadian Tire to buy pre-paid Master Cards and another was directed to Walmart and London Drugs to purchase gift cards.

More recently, on Tuesday August 23, 2022 alert employees at a local business spared an individual from losing $3500 after that person was directed to their store to purchase pre-paid credit cards. Employees of Best Buy sensed the individual was being scammed and after a lengthy discussion with this person, the employees were able to convince the individual that it was nothing more than a scam.

These scammers are quite convincing but it is important to remember that accredited financial institutions or online merchants will never direct you to purchase gift cards or pre-paid credit cards, said R/Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.

For current up to date information on scams, please go to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website  

Released by

Cst. Gary O'Brien

Email: gary.obrien@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: nanaimo.rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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