Public alert: in-person bank card replacement scam on the rise

Richmond

2025-01-22 09:26 PST

Richmond RCMP is warning the public of a scam where fraudsters are picking up bank cards in person to defraud victims. Since the initial warning issued on December 5, 2024, Richmond RCMP officers are investigating three new reports of this scam targeting residents.

In this alleged scheme, victims receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from their bank’s fraud department. The caller states that the victim’s card has been compromised and offers to send someone to collect it. The fraudster then attends the victim’s residence to collect their banking cards, with the promise that they would deliver their replacement cards in person the next day. After obtaining their bank cards, the fraudster then transfers funds from the victim’s accounts.

In some cases, police suspect that fraudsters already know victims’ addresses. They appear to target the older demographic, as some residents have their home phones and addresses listed in public phone directories.

This scam is especially concerning because it involves direct, in-person contact, which makes it look more legitimate, said Corporal Denise Kam of the Richmond RCMP Economic Crime Unit. We want the public to be aware and take steps to protect themselves.

Tips to protect yourself

• Be wary of unsolicited calls, especially those requesting personal or financial information.
• If you receive a call claiming to be from your bank, ask for their internal reference or file number and call back using the number on your financial documents or their official website.
• Remove personal information from public platforms, such as social media and phone directories, that criminals may exploit.
• Never share your bank or credit card PIN with anyone.
• If you suspect your card has been compromised, contact your bank directly using the phone number listed on your card.
• Do not hand over your bank cards to anyone. Safely dispose of expired or compromised cards yourself.
• Replacement cards are never hand-delivered to your home. They are either mailed to you or sent to a local branch for pickup.

By informing the public, we aim to reduce the number of people impacted by this scam, said Corporal Adriana O’Malley, Richmond RCMP Media Relations officer. Awareness and education are the most effective ways to prevent becoming a victim.

For detailed advice on recognizing and avoiding being a victim of fraud and a list of other common scams, please visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website here.

If you believe you are a victim of a fraud, please report the incident to your police of jurisdiction.

Released by:

Email: richmond_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: richmond.rcmp.ca

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