Vancouver police say a downtown organization employee was defrauded of about $34,000 after a caller impersonated a bank representative.
The Story
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is advising the public not to share banking information after a staff member at a downtown organization was defrauded of $34,000.
Police said the scam began with a phone call from a suspect posing as a bank representative. The caller used a spoofed phone number and appeared to have detailed information about the victim’s banking accounts.
During a call that lasted more than an hour, the suspect convinced the victim to provide information that allowed access to two bank accounts. The victim later learned the accounts had been drained of approximately $18,000 and $16,000, for a total loss of $34,000.
The incident was reported to police.
The VPD reminded residents to be cautious when receiving unsolicited calls from anyone claiming to represent a financial institution and to never provide personal or banking information over the phone unless the caller’s identity has been independently verified. Police said people who receive suspicious calls should hang up and contact their bank directly using the phone number listed on a bank card or the bank’s official website.
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