YRP warns of telephone scams after reports of $20K losses

York Regional Police (YRP) is reminding locals to be aware of ongoing telephone scams after some victims reported thousands in losses.

In a Monday news release, YRP explained that scammers have been posing as bank investors, telling victims that their debit or credit cards have been compromised. Scammers reportedly ask for card numbers and personal identification numbers (PIN) for ‘verification’.

YRP adds that the suspects then tell the victims that someone will be sent to their home to pick up their cards. Once the scammers obtain the victims’ card information, they have allegedly been using it to make illegal purchases or withdraw cash from ATMs.

Victims have also been reportedly asked to provide a multi-factor authentication code that the suspects are sending to them, which the scammers then use to access their online account and illegally transfer funds.

YRP says that these scams have resulted in some victims losing more than $20,000. They shared the following scam protection tips:

• Never disclose personal information for unsolicited calls from any bank or company.
• Verify with your bank by contacting them through a phone number that is known to be theirs.
• Never provide debit or credit cards to anyone who shows up to your home.
• Always be skeptical and question whether an unsolicited call makes sense or could be a scam.
• If in doubt, go to your bank and speak with bank staff in-person.

Victims of fraud are urged to report incidents to the YRP Financial Crime Unit and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.