Vancouver seniors scammed out of nearly $40K in new fraud scheme, police say

Seniors in Vancouver have lost nearly $40,000 combined this month to a new scam in which fraudsters visited their homes to collect supposedly compromised bank cards.

"Fraudsters have been calling victims from a phone number that appears to be a legitimate financial institution and claiming there has been irregular activity on their bank accounts," the Vancouver Police Department said in a news release Friday.

"They convince the seniors to turn over personal information – including home addresses, passwords and personal identification numbers – and advise them that a courier is on the way to pick up the bank cards."

Once the victim turns over the card, the scammer uses the personal information obtained over the phone to withdraw money.

The VPD said it has received two reports of the scam so far this month.

The first incident occurred on Dec. 3, according to police. On that date, an unknown person called the 72-year-old victim and claimed to be a CIBC bank teller.

The scammer stayed on the phone with the senior for four hours, gaining her trust and getting her to divulge personal information, police said.

The following day, a man showed up at the victim's door and took her bank card. Soon, $30,000 had gone missing from the victim's accounts, and she called police.

The second incident occurred on Dec. 8. In this case, the scammer claimed to be calling from Mastercard, and the 81-year-old victim provided her home address and "other personal bank information," police said.

Later on the day of the call, someone came to the victim's door and picked up the card. The victim lost $6,500, according to police.

"These fraudsters are finding success by preying on vulnerable people in our community and betraying their trust," said VPD spokesperson Const. Tania Visintin, in the release.

"We remind everyone that a financial institution will never send a courier to your door to collect an alleged fraudulent card. If you get a phone call like this, hang up, and follow up with your bank if you are still feeling unsure.”

While the VPD characterized the scam as "new" to the city, Mounties in Richmond warned residents of that jurisdiction about a similar scam earlier this month, though they were unable to say how many victims had been targeted or how much money had been lost.

• Read more: B.C. RCMP detachment issues warning about bank card scam

Back in February of this year, the Burnaby RCMP detachment also warned about a bank card scam with the same basic features as this month's Vancouver incidents.

In that warning, Mounties reported two victims who had lost a combined $8,000. 

The VPD Financial Crime Unit is investigating both Vancouver incidents, police said, adding that anyone with information about the scam should "come forward immediately."

To report a crime in progress or an immediate safety concern, victims and witnesses should call 911, police said. If the suspect has already left, they advised calling the VPD non-emergency line at 604-717-3321.