The True Post (Web News)Ottawa police have charged two men with impersonating bank fraud investigators and defrauding residents. The two suspects have now been formally charged with fraud, forgery and identity theft, police said.
The Ottawa Police Service said in a statement that the two suspects contacted residents at various locations, posing as bank security investigators and claiming that their accounts were at risk. They obtained personal information, ATM cards, and sometimes cash from residents under the guise of “protecting them from fraud.”
According to police, the two men were part of an organized scheme that specifically targeted senior citizens and less experienced individuals.
Police did not identify the men, but said they are from Ottawa and are 34 and 29 years old, respectively. They have been charged with the following: Fraud Over $5,000, Personation with Intent, Identity Theft, and Criminal Conspiracy.
Ottawa police are appealing to the public to contact police immediately if anyone else has received a similar call or suspicious contact. He added that no legitimate bank or financial institution ever asks for private information or cards from customers over the phone.
The police advised citizens to take the following precautions: Never share your bank card number, PIN or personal information over the phone. If someone claims to be a police or bank official, verify their identity. Report any suspicious activity to the police immediately.
The police have appealed to the public to be more vigilant and report suspicious activities immediately.
