Cobourg Police Service is issuing a fraud alert following a recent phone scam.
In the recent report, a resident was defrauded approximately $5,000 after receiving a phone call from a scammer posing as a representative from their bank. The scammer claimed there were fraudulent charges on the victim’s account. Throughout the phone conversation, the scammer obtained financial information from the victim, then sent a text with a link allowing the scammer to gain access to accounts.
In this type of phone scam, fraudsters use multiple tactics to trick their victim. Protect yourself from these types of scams.
• Be skeptical of unsolicited calls. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from a government agency, bank, or other organization, be cautious.
• Never give out personal or financial information over the phone unless you are certain of the caller’s identity. Legitimate organizations will not ask for sensitive information unexpectedly.
• If you are unsure about a caller’s identity, hang up and call the organization directly using a number you know is legitimate or visit the location in person.
• Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to create a sense of urgency. Take your time to verify the information before taking any action.
• Never click on suspicious links.
• Stay informed about the latest scams and how they operate. This knowledge can help you recognize and avoid scams.
Take the time to talk to your family and friends about fraud prevention.
If you or a family member were a victim of fraud, report it police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or by phone 1-888-495-8501 (toll free).
Please visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website for a list of known scams, and to learn more about how to protect yourself.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
