LAKELAND - Vermilion RCMP are warning the public after receiving multiple reports from citizens in the area who have received voice recordings advising the caller that there is “unusual activity detected on [their] VISA account,” with thousand-dollar purchases from online retailers.
According to Vermilion RCMP, some recordings have asked callers to “select 1” to be put in contact with customer service, while other calls have simply dropped without any other interaction.
“Unfortunately, there are many scammers who attempt to utilize phoning or text as a means to gain your personal information or confidence to defraud individuals,” according to RCMP.
Police would like to remind the public to ignore phone calls from international numbers or area codes they are not familiar with.
Also, “If you receive a call saying you have unusual activity from your financial institution, simply hang up and phone them back using the numbers published on their websites if you do not trust the caller," say police.
Never follow links in texts or emails from unsolicited correspondences. And, when in doubt about financial activity with your bank, visit a local branch in person.
If you have been a victim of fraud or would like more information on all the different fraudulent scams in Canada, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
RCMP encourages residents to report any criminal or suspicious activity. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
