Maple Ridge RCMP warn of fraudsters collecting bank and credit cards from homes

Maple Ridge RCMP are warning residents about a scam in which fraudsters posing as bank or credit card company officials arrange to collect bank cards or credit cards directly from people’s homes.

Police said they have received multiple complaints in recent weeks from residents contacted by people claiming to represent financial institutions or credit card companies. The callers typically say an account may have been compromised and create a sense of urgency.

Fraudsters use pressure tactics and may have partial access to account information, police said. Some victims may already be experiencing legitimate problems with their cards, while the offer to pick up a card can make the scheme appear more credible.

Financial institutions and credit card companies will never send someone to a home to collect cards, cash or personal information, police said. Their advice is to hang up immediately, even if that feels rude or distrustful.

“Frauds can pop up anywhere, anytime,” Maple Ridge RCMP Const. Avinesh Bali said. He urged residents to stay vigilant, take simple steps to protect themselves, report suspicious activity and check in with friends or family members who may be more susceptible.

Anyone concerned that a card has been compromised, or seeking to verify whether a call was legitimate, should contact the institution directly using the information on the back of the card. Victims should also report the incident to police and monitor their accounts for suspicious transactions.

Similar frauds have been reported in other jurisdictions. Police continue to investigate and ask anyone with information to come forward.