Food Delivery Scam Targets Bank Cards and PINs in Kingston, Ontario

Kingston Police warn of a coordinated scam where fake delivery drivers and customers steal bank cards and PINs. Stolen cards were used for cash withdrawals and fraudulent purchases.

Coordinated food delivery fraud scheme sweeps Kingston area

Kingston Police have issued a public warning about a fraud scheme in which pairs of individuals pose as food delivery drivers and customers to steal bank card and PIN information from unsuspecting victims, kingstonpolice.ca reports.

In multiple recent incidents across the Kingston area, two suspects worked in tandem. One posed as a customer claiming their payment card was not functioning, then asked a nearby victim to pay for a food order using the delivery driver's PIN payment terminal. The customer handed the victim cash and instructed them to complete the transaction using their own bank card.

During the exchange, the victim's bank card was quietly swapped for a different card. The victim then entered their PIN into the terminal, unknowingly handing both their card and their PIN number to the suspects.

After the transactions, the stolen debit cards were used to make cash withdrawals, deposit bad cheques, and carry out retail purchases.

Kingston Police are reminding residents to exercise caution if approached in similar circumstances. A legitimate delivery driver has no reason to ask a bystander to pay for another person's purchase using their own banking card. If someone makes such a request in exchange for cash, police advise declining.

Residents are also urged never to hand their bank card or PIN to another person, and never to enter their PIN into a payment terminal unless they are certain of who is operating it.

Anyone who suspects their card has been switched or compromised is encouraged to contact their financial institution immediately.

Those who believe they have been targeted by this fraud can contact Kingston Police at 613-549-4660 ext. 0. Tips may also be submitted anonymously by calling the same number and requesting to remain anonymous.

Source: Google News JM — Kingston