A Nanaimo resident has lost roughly $24,000 in a scam that Mounties warn is becoming increasingly common. Nanaimo RCMP say the victim reported being repeatedly contacted by a number they believed was officially associated with the Royal Bank of Canada, including through text messages containing security verification codes. “Believing the messages were legitimate, the victim provided personal information to the caller,” RCMP said in a statement Tuesday. “This information was then used by the scammer to access the victim’s accounts and complete fraudulent transactions.” Mounties are warning people not to trust caller ID, as scammers often trick people through “call spoofing” techniques. “Scammers can make things look and sound very real, but protecting yourself is simpler than it seems,” Nanaimo RCMP R/Const. Gary O’Brien said in the statement. “If anyone asks for a verification code, take a breath, hang up and call your bank directly.” Mounties say RBC confirmed that banks will never ask customers for verification, one-time passcodes or two-factor verification codes. If you’re unsure whether a call from your bank is a scam, Mounties advise hanging up and calling back using a trusted phone number. Anyone who accidentally provides personal information should contact their local police department or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
