New scam circulating: Scammers impersonating fraud investigators

Hands holding a phone.

A new scam is circulating the region that involves fraudsters impersonating bank fraud investigators, according to police.

The Nottawasaga Detachment of the OPP says scammers are calling people claiming they are fraud investigators from their financial institution. The fraudsters will say that there have been fraudulent transactions on the person’s account. During this conversation, they will try to get further personal and financial information.

The scam uses sophisticated software making the bank’s real phone number appear on caller ID.

Not only does the call seem to be legitimate based on the caller ID, but often the fraudster will already have personal information about the person they are calling.

In many instances, police say the scammers will plan for someone to actually come to the person’s house to pick up their bank card alleging that it’s needed for an investigation.

Police are reminding the public of what to look out for to protect themselves from scams.

They say banks will never send couriers to pick up bank cards, passwords or personal financial documents.

Police also remind people to never provide personal or banking information over the phone.

Police say if you receive a call that looks like it’s from your bank, hang up and call the bank using the phone number found on the back of the bank card or go to a branch in person.

Authorities advise people to call police if they believe they have experienced fraud.