Fake bank representatives: Beware of fraud schemes and scams

Ever received a call from someone pretending to work for a financial institution? Be on your guard! The Service de police de l’agglomération de Longueuil (SPAL) cautions people against this type of fraudster.

Strategy used

Fraudsters phone people (particularly seniors) and make them believe that there has been a fraudulent transaction on their bank card. They tell the person that they must change their card and ask for their personal identification number (PIN). They then tell the victim to put their bank card in an envelope and that a bank employee will come by to pick it up and take it to the financial institution. An accomplice then shows up at the person’s door quickly to pick the envelope up and flee.

Tips

• Never trust what appears on your phone display, even if it is the name of a financial institution.
• Never give your PIN to anyone, even an employee of your financial institution.
• Remember that financial institutions never offer a service to pick cards up at people’s homes.
• Hang up immediately and report the event to your financial institution and to the police by dialling 911.

To know more

Discover other tips by consulting the Guide pratique pour mieux détecter les différents types de fraudes (in French only) of the Service de police de l’agglomération de Longueuil. Copies of the guide are available for consultation at the recreation centre and at the library.