OPP INVESTIGATE CREDIT CARD FRAUDS

(NORTHUMBERLAND, ON) – On Thursday May 8, 2014 Northumberland Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received two complainants regarding credit card frauds.

An 80 year old female from Cramahe Township reported that she had received a telephone call from “Visa” asking for credit card information and the three digit number on the back. The victim was not willing to provide any information to the aggressive caller who then transferred her to a “supervisor”. The second caller “bullied” her into providing the information. The victim then contacted her bank and was advised this was a fraudulent call and cancelled her cards immediately. She was not out any funds as a result.

However, a 61 year old Brighton male was not as fortunate as he had been defrauded $7, 384 in two separate credit card transactions. The first fraud happened on May 1, 2014 where the caller had $595 US funds taken from his credit card and the second was for $6,789 US funds on May 8, 2014. The male advised OPP that when the caller contacted the victim, they already had his personal information and told him that they were calling from “Visa”. It is unknown how the caller had received the victim’s personal information at the time of the report to OPP. The male contacted the bank and was also advised of the fraudulent calls.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Center has been contacted in both incidents.

Both investigations continue.

OPP would like to REMIND people not to provide ANY personal information to callers over the phone. The bank that holds your credit card will already have your personal information when you apply for the account, which is usually done in person as account documents will require a signature. If you are unsure of the caller, just hang up. You are not obligated to provide anything to an unsolicited call.

For more information on protecting yourself and loved ones from fraud please go online to www.antifraudcentre.ca or www.opp.ca