N.S. couple to be reimbursed $30K in suspected fraud

A Nova Scotia couple will be reimbursed for a suspected identity theft that cost them $30,000.

A Nova Scotia couple who said $30,000 was stolen from their bank account following a suspected case of identity theft will be getting all of their money back.

Diane and Michael Betts say Manulife Bank has confirmed it will reimburse them in full after their account was accessed earlier this month by someone posing as Diane.

“I was elated,” said Diane. “I couldn’t wait to call my husband, and he was excited. We’re just so thankful.”

The unauthorized transactions – a $500 payment to a credit card and a $30,000 transfer from their line credit to another account – were discovered on May 15.

The couple had raised concerns the fraud may be connected to a cybersecurity breach at Nova Scotia Power, though Halifax police have not confirmed any link.

Betts said she received a call from a Manulife investigator the night before, who said a final decision would be coming late in the day.

“He didn’t sound very positive,” she recalled. “I said to my husband, ‘I don’t think they’re going to put the money back’ and then she called today and told us. It was such a relief.”

In a statement, Manulife confirmed the resolution saying, “We’ve looked into this matter thoroughly and have worked directly with the client to reach a resolution to their full satisfaction. We take all reports of unauthorized activity seriously - especially when linked to external incidents beyond our control.”

Betts said the incident has permanently changed the way she and her husband approach online security.

“It was terrifying,” she said. “We’re going to have to be very vigilant now for the rest of our lives. My SIN - or my husband’s - it’s out there somewhere.”

NS Power previously confirmed it had been the target of a cybersecurity incident in March. It later said it was the victim of a “sophisticated ransomware attack” and data stolen from its systems had been published.

The Canadian Bankers Association declined to comment on individual cases but noted that fraud investigations are handled internally by banks.

“Anyone who suspects they may have been the victim of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their financial institution, local police, and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre,” said the spokesperson.

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