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TELEPHONE VISA FRAUD SCAM

News Release **************** (WEST PARRY SOUND, ON) – On February 24, 2015 the West Parry Sound Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was notified that a local resident received a phone call from a caller claiming to represent a VISA company.

News Release

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(WEST PARRY SOUND, ON) – On February 24, 2015 the West Parry Sound Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was notified that a local resident received a phone call from a caller claiming to represent a VISA company. The caller knew the residents name, address, where she banked and her credit card expiry date. But when the caller read her credit card number, it was incorrect.

The potential victim sensed that something was wrong and advised the caller that she would contact her bank. The caller advised her that the bank could not help her and he offered an improved interest rate.

In this scam, the OPP believes that the victim would have given the corrected credit card number and the caller would use it for their financial gain.

BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS IF:

  1. Caller asks you for personal information…Don’t give it over the phone!
  2. Caller is requesting a donation…Get the facts before you give!
  3. Caller has something special to offer, for example, you have won a prize…Don’t believe it!
  4. Caller says, act now, they’re doing you a favour…Refuse immediately, you are not obligated! 

In short, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Hang up! 

The methods being employed by fraudsters are as diverse as the victims they target. Guard against becoming a victim BEFORE providing money or credit card information. For more information about the many types of fraud and what to watch for, you can contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre 1-888-495-8501 or on the web at www.antifraudcentre.ca as well as the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

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