Barrie police warn of bank and credit card scam

File image.

Barrie police are alerting residents about bank scams targeting vulnerable individuals. The service urges the public to never give personal information or banking details to anyone claiming to work for a bank or credit card company.

Police say legitimate financial institutions will never ask for sensitive information over the phone or in person. If there is an issue with an account, police say the bank will usually contact the customer directly and ask them to visit a branch.

In some cases, police warn scammers have met with their intended victims, who are often seniors, taken their bank cards claiming to update them with higher security features, but instead, used them for fraudulent purposes.

“Don’t fall for these fraudsters and their ploys to get your money,” police warned.

Residents are encouraged to speak with their parents and any seniors in their lives to educate them about the dangers of sharing personal and banking information.

If you think you’ve been targeted or have fallen victim to a scam, contact your financial institution immediately and report it to the authorities.