Ketiz Singh

Protecting Your Hard-Earned Money: Beware of Bank Investigator Scams!

The Story of Kelsey Potter’s Heartbreak

Imagine receiving a call from someone claiming to work for your bank, alerting you to fraudulent activity on your account. You trust them, thinking they’re looking out for your best interest. But what if this call is actually a clever scheme to steal your money? That’s exactly what happened to Kelsey Potter, an Eastern Ontario woman who lost nearly $20,000 in a bank investigator scam.

It all started with suspicious texts alerting Kelsey to purchases made at Sephora. Thinking she was speaking to her bank, she was convinced to reply with an N to stop the charges and log into her “scosa bank” app. The scammers, using remote entry software, even showed fake credits hitting her account to gain her trust.

As the scam unfolded, Kelsey was instructed to e-transfer thousands of dollars into a so-called “security account” to keep her funds safe. By the time she realized it was a scam, she had lost a significant amount of money. Feeling betrayed and devastated, Kelsey now faces the harsh reality of financial loss.

Debunking Myths: How to Spot Bank Investigator Scams

• Stay Alert: Be wary of unsolicited calls or texts claiming to be from your bank, especially if they ask you to confirm personal information.
• If in Doubt, Hang Up: If something feels off, it’s okay to hang up and call your bank directly using a trusted number to verify the authenticity of the call.
• Protect Your Information: Never share sensitive details like passwords, PINs, or verification codes over the phone, as legitimate banks will never ask for this information.

Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your finances!

Take Action: Reporting Bank Investigator Scams

If you’ve fallen victim to a bank investigator scam, don’t hesitate to report it to the police and the Canadian Fraud Centre. By raising awareness and sharing your experience, you can help prevent others from falling into the same trap.

Let’s stand together against financial fraud and protect our hard-earned money from falling into the wrong hands!