A fraudster calls a senior on a landline and convinces them that their credit card has been fraudulently used for a large purchase.
Vancouver police are warning the public about a phone scam that has defrauded local seniors out of millions of dollars.
The scam works like this: a fraudster, pretending to be either a jewelry store employee or police officer, calls a senior on a landline and convinces them that their credit card has been fraudulently used for a large purchase.When the victim picks up the phone again, they hear a dial tone and they place their call. However, police say, the scammers never disconnect from the line and it’s believe they play a recorded dial tone to fool the victim.
Police say they know of five different cases in which local seniors were scammed out of $3.1 million. Although, the VPD has recovered $2.5 million of the stolen money. “Awareness is the key to preventing phone scams like this one. When you use a hardline phone, anytime you hang up there is an opportunity for someone to still be connected with you on the other line,” said VPD spokesperson Sgt. Jason Robillard. “Consider using a cell phone or make sure you are disconnected after you hang up.”
Robillard said investigators believe there may be additional victims and they are asked call Vancouver police at 604-717-0503.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Vancouver police want to speak with women who had contact with high-risk offenderVancouver Police are asking women to come forward who may have had contact with a high-risk offender who was arrested Friday for violating conditions of his release.Trevor Leonard Smith, 45, who ha…
Read more »
Vancouver police arrest suspect in targeted killing of teenVancouver police have arrested an 18-year-old man after a fatal incident on Friday night in the city’s Strathcona neighbourhood.Christopher Aiden Kematch was arrested early on Sunday morning …
Read more »
Vancouver police look to ID men from nightclub assault videoThe incident, which occurred almost a one year ago outside Pierre’s Champagne Lounge, left one man with with an ‘life-changing’ head injury.
Read more »
Vancouver Police Seek Suspects For In 'Life-Changing' Sucker Punch (Video)The victim is still recovering from his injuries vancouver
Read more »
Vancouver Police Seek Suspects In 'Life-Changing' Sucker Punch (Video)It happened a year ago at a downtown bar yaletown vancouver
Read more »
Delivery man helps VPD arrest two suspects in two separate crimes an hour apartKarl Dey, who says his ‘fatherly instincts kicked in’ when he heard a woman calling for help, has been awarded the Vancouver Police Department’s highest award for civilian bravery.
Read more »
24-year-old suspect arrested in murder of reputed mob bossA 24-year-old man was arrested Saturday in the shooting death of the reputed boss of the Gambino crime family, New York City police said.
Read more »
Police questioning suspect in Staten Island mob murder caseNew York police say a possible suspect is being questioned in the shooting death of the reputed Gambino crime family boss.
Read more »