Guelph senior loses nearly $15K in bank card scam, police warn public

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Guelph Police are urging residents to use caution when dealing with unknown callers after a Guelph senior was defrauded of nearly $15,000 in a bank card scam.

Officers were called to a south-end home Tuesday evening after a woman reported her mother, in her 80s, had provided banking details to a scammer.

Police said the victim received a call Monday from someone claiming to represent Rogers and offering a reduced service rate. During the call, she provided her bank card numbers and PINs.

A few hours later, the woman received another call from someone posing as a TD Bank employee who claimed her card had been compromised. A man later attended her residence and collected her debit and credit cards.

Shortly after, the victim received a TD text alert about a $9,000 attempted charge. She later learned at her bank that more than $14,900 has been withdrawn from her account through several transactions.

The investigation is ongoing.

“Residents are encouraged to be wary of any telephone call, email or text which requires you to take immediate action,” police said in a media release. “It is always best to independently contact the supposed sender and confirm the legitimacy of the correspondence before taking action. Never provide personal information to anyone until you have confirmed their identity. Banks will never ask you for your PIN.”

Anyone who believes they are a victim of fraud is encouraged to contact local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or through its online system.