By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON July 31, 2012 The Bank Investigator Scam is back. And as they usually do- they target vulnerable trusting seniors who have savings they need tucked away. Some slickster wants to take that money from you and will call saying he is an Inspector with the bank and needs your help.
Tell him you’d love to help him and then ask which branch you can meet him or her at. Then call the police.
The Halton Regional Police Service is warning seniors about a “Bank Investigator Scam”. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (formerly known as Phone Busters) recently reported over 100 complaints with reported losses to victims of 1/2 million dollars.
This scam is predominantly targeting female seniors and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says that the fraudsters sometimes use the obituaries to obtain personal information about their potential victims.
Constable Wendy Moraghan works with seniors in the Region as the Elder Services Coordinator. If you think there is something fishy about a phone call you get – call Wendy, she’s there to help.
The fraudsters contact seniors by phone advising that they require their assistance to catch a bank employee that “has been stealing money”. The person is instructed to go to their bank and make a cash withdrawal, usually in 100 dollar bills, for amounts in the $5000.00 range. The person is told not to tell the bank teller what they are doing because the teller may be involved.
When anyone asks you to to withdraw cash from your bank account and meet them in a parking lot – let them know you would prefer to meet in the parking lot of the police station and hang up.
The senior is instructed to place the cash in an envelope and meet the “investigator” in a nearby parking lot where the cash is turned over. If successful the “investigator” attempts a further request for funds to ensure the investigation is a success. On one occasion the “investigator” also asked if the senior had any cash at home because the employee had been handing out counterfeit money.
The senior turned over $6,000.00 in cash from her residence which the “investigator” confirmed was counterfeit by looking at the serial numbers. The fraudsters will represent various different financial institutions. The public is reminded that this is not the way banks operate. If there is an investigation it is done by the police.
Police constable Wendy Moraghan (Elder Services Coordinator) with the Halton Regional Police Service is as far away as a telephone call – if you’re suspicious – give her a call -905-825-4777 ext. 5064 She’s a real sweetheart and will answer every question you have – she’s there to help you.
Moraghan will tell you to never give out personal information on the telephone to anyone. Constable Moraghan attends many seniors events in the Region.
