Guelph police are warning of a banking scam targeting seniors, with fraudsters stealing debit and credit cards to make thousands of dollars in unauthorized purchases. In a news release Thursday, police said they have received an increasing number of calls about the scam. Victims are contacted by someone claiming to have detected suspicious activity on their credit cards. The caller, who may sound professional and polite, asks the person to gather all their debit and credit cards and provide the names on the cards, card numbers and PINs. The caller then arranges for someone to visit the victim’s home to collect the cards, claiming they will be replaced and new ones sent by mail. Police say the person who arrives at the door provides a name and a so-called verification code given to the victim during the phone call. In some cases, victims remain on the phone with the original caller while handing over their cards. Once the cards are in their possession, suspects use them to make purchases worth thousands of dollars. Guelph police are urging residents to speak with older family members and friends about the scam and remind them not to share banking information or hand over their cards to unexpected visitors. Anyone who receives a suspicious call claiming to be from their bank or a credit bureau should hang up and contact their financial institution directly using a trusted phone number to verify the claim.
