Residents of LaSalle are being urged to exercise extreme caution following a sophisticated phone scam that nearly cost a local resident their bank card. The LaSalle Police Service issued a public warning after an attempted fraud was reported on Sunday evening.
The Elaborate Scam Attempt
According to police, a resident received a suspicious phone call from an individual falsely claiming to represent their bank. The caller informed the resident that their bank card had been compromised and provided a set of alarming instructions.
The fraudster directed the resident to cut the card into pieces, place the fragments in an envelope, and wait for a courier to arrive and collect it. The scammer assured the victim that the card would be securely returned to the bank for investigation.
How the Scam Unraveled
Fortunately, the targeted resident became suspicious and decided to verify the information independently. Instead of trusting the caller, the resident contacted their bank directly using the official phone number printed on the back of their card. Bank officials promptly confirmed that the prior call was fraudulent and that no such security issue existed with the account.
In a twist that highlights the evolving methods of criminals, police confirmed that an Uber driver did arrive at the residence to pick up the envelope containing the destroyed card. However, investigators determined that the driver was an unwitting participant. The order was placed through the Uber platform, and the driver had no knowledge of the criminal scheme. LaSalle officials stated that no further details about the sender could be obtained from the ride-sharing service.
Police Advice to Prevent Fraud
As no completed criminal offence occurred, the LaSalle Police Service is no longer actively investigating this specific incident. However, they emphasize that scams of this nature are becoming increasingly common across the region.
Authorities have issued clear recommendations for the public to protect themselves:
- Always verify directly: If you receive a concerning call about your accounts, hang up and contact your financial institution using a verified phone number from their official website or your card.
- Never share personal information: Do not provide your address, PIN, account details, or passwords over the phone, no matter how much information the caller seems to already possess.
- Recognize red flags: Banks and credit card companies will never send a personal courier to your home to collect a compromised card. This is a definitive sign of a scam.
- Act quickly if suspicious: If a call feels wrong, hang up immediately. Your instinct is your first line of defense.
This incident serves as a critical reminder for all Canadians to remain vigilant against social engineering attacks aimed at stealing personal and financial data.
