Senior loses $4,000 in familiar phone scam

KAMLOOPS — Though it has been reported on repeatedly, a familiar scam continues to find victims, with a Kamloops senior losing $4,000.

The scam involves a phone call from someone claiming to be from the victim’s bank and convincing the target to send money, usually by wire transfer at Western Union or a similar business.

In the most recent case in Kamloops, police say a person claiming to be a representative from the head office branch of the senior’s bank repeatedly called her.

“They told her that her bank account had been breached and, since money had been stolen, the account was now closed,” Cpl. Jodi Shelkie said. “The fraudster coaxed the woman into going to a Western Union to transfer money to ‘reopen her bank account’. Unfortunately, by the time this woman and her family realized that this was a scam, she had already sent almost $4,000.”

Shelkie said the public needs to be aware of such scams and to not fall victim to those behind such schemes.

If you receive an unsolicited call that claims to be from your bank, requesting money, account or other personal information, do not respond. Instead, discontinue the call and independently verify the phone number. Only call back once you have ensured it is a legitimate bank phone number. Under no circumstances will a bank representative ask you to send money to them via Western Union or using gift cards.