OPP officials allege: Police are urging residents to stay alert to credit card scams happening within the county after a Lakeshore resident lost more than $27,000.
Essex County OPP responded to a report of fraud from the resident on Sept. 16 at approximately 8 p.m.
Police say the victim was contacted by an unknown individual claiming to be a representative from a local bank. The caller advised the victim that their bank account was compromised, then instructed them to cut their credit card in half, leaving the chip intact, saying a carrier would attend their address to retrieve the chip portion of the card and provide a new credit card.
Within an hour and a half, a man believed to be in his 40s to 50s, driving a white Volkswagen, attended the victim’s residence to collect the card and provided a new credit card.
The victim later attended the bank and was advised of suspicious activity, including denied withdrawals from Vaughan, Pickering, Woodbridge and Concord. The victim’s total loss is estimated at more than $27,000.
The Essex County OPP is asking anyone with information to call 1-888-310-1122. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), where they may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.
