Taking a different route to the bank likely saved a Kamloops senior from being scammed to the tune of $4,800.
(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)
October 22, 2016 - 9:34 AM
KAMLOOPS - Yesterday, a Kamloops senior had a close call with a pair of brazen scam artists.
Staff Sgt. Edward Preto says in a release that yesterday, Oct. 21, an elderly woman received a phone call from someone who asked her questions about her banking information.
A female scam artist said she was from the Royal Bank and asked the senior to withdraw $4,800 because her account "was compromised," Staff Sgt. Edward Preto says in a release.
Police say the scammer told the senior to put the money in an envelope and to describe her route from home to the bank.
The senior took out the money, but took a different way to her bank. Yesterday, on 8 Street near Westminster Avenue at approximately 12:25 p.m, a male scam artist spoke with a different elderly female, and asked her about the money. He discovered the she wasn't their target and left.
The man is described as white, 45 to 50 years old, about 5'8" tall, with medium build, clean shaven, with a tweed hat, dark clothing and called himself Mr. Wilcox, Preto says in the release.
Police say they are concerned with the escalation of these scam artists' behaviour and are asking for tips from the public.
Anyone with information is asked to call Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000, call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
“Always remember, if the person asks you to withdraw money and meet them somewhere, it’s a scam. If you are asked to provide your credit card number or provide your financial institution information, it’s a scam,” Preto says.
This comes just three days after a different case of a Kamloops woman losing $26,000 to scammers.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2016