Kingston Police warn of bank investigator fraud scams targeting residents
Kingston Police are alerting residents to ongoing scams involving fraudsters posing as bank investigators. Victims are tricked into handing over credentials, cash, or crypto funds.
Kingston residents warned as bank impersonation scams continue
Kingston Police have issued a public alert over a persistent wave of bank fraud scams, thewhig.com reports, with fraudsters impersonating bank investigators, fraud department staff, and financial institution security personnel.
According to police, victims are typically told that suspicious activity has been detected on their accounts and are then instructed to assist with a supposed investigation. Scammers request personal information, online banking credentials, or verification codes as part of the ruse.
In more aggressive cases, victims are persuaded to surrender their bank cards, purchase gift cards, withdraw and mail cash, buy gold or other precious metals, send e-transfers, or deposit money into cryptocurrency ATMs.
Kingston Police emphasised that no legitimate financial institution will ever ask customers to hand over passwords, verification codes, or bank cards — nor will they direct clients to purchase gift cards or gold, mail cash, or move funds into a Bitcoin ATM in connection with any investigation.
Police have shared guidance for residents to protect themselves:
- Never provide passwords, PINs, or verification codes to anyone claiming to represent your bank.
- Do not surrender your bank card or purchase gift cards at a caller's request.
- Hang up and contact your financial institution directly using the number on the back of your card.
- Do not deposit money into cryptocurrency ATMs on another person's instruction.
Anyone in the Kingston area who believes they have been targeted is encouraged to file a report with Kingston Police online at www.kingstonpolice.ca or by calling 613-549-4660, ext. 0.
Source: Google News JM — Kingston