By Greg Fry

Fraudster rips off local senior

Sep 8, 2017 | 11:27 AM

KAMLOOPS — Another scam artist is making the rounds.

That from the Kamloops RCMP after an elderly woman was scammed out of nearly $4,000.

Cpl. Jodi Shelkie says a person claiming to be a representative from the head office branch of her bank called her repeatedly. The person told her her bank account had been breached and since the money had been stolen, the account was now closed.

The fraudster coaxed the woman into going to a Western Union to transfer money to reopen her bank account. Unfortunately for the woman, by the time she realized it was all a hoax, she had sent almost $4,000.

Shelkie says it’s a reminder for all of us not to respond to unsolicted calls from your bank. If it happens to you, she suggests ending the call and verifying the phone number. She says under no circumstances will someone from a bank ask you to send money to them via Western Union or using gift cards.

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“It is important to tell family members who may not have heard about this scam. Have a conversation with people who may not have access to the internet. The more people that know about this scam, the better,” says Shelkie.

If you suspect a fraudster has called you, take down the number and contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, toll-free at 1-888-495-8501 or online at CAFC Fraud Reporting.