Suspicious Activity Scam

Guelph Police Service is warning the public about an increase in calls related to banking frauds targeting seniors. Residents are reporting being contacted by someone claiming to be from their bank or from a reputable credit bureau stating there has been suspicious activity on their credit cards. The callers appear professional and polite to the targets and ask them to gather all their debit and credit cards. They are then told to provide the credit card and debit card name, number, and PIN for each to the caller.

The target of the fraud is then provided the name of a person who will come to their door to turn over their cards for replacement. People are reporting to police that is is often happened while the target is still on the phone with the caller. The person who comes to the door will then give the same name and a “verification code” which is provided by the caller. The person will take the cards with the promise that new ones will arrive by mail. The suspects then go out and charge thousands of dollars to those cards.

Guelph Police Service is encouraging people to speak with their elderly friends and family to make them aware of this scam. Anyone who receives this type of call should call their bank or financial institution using a number they trust to confirm the information.

To learn more about this and other scams, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.