OPP warn of increase in scams involving fake bank investigators

Fraudsters posing as bank investigators are increasingly contacting people to claim their accounts or credit cards have been compromised, the OPP’s East Region fraud team warns.

The callers often say they are investigating suspicious credit-card charges or money stolen from a bank account. Their aim is to persuade the person receiving the call to provide personal and banking information.

“Fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to convince victims that their bank accounts or credit cards have been compromised,” the OPP said in an Oct. 29 release.

In one recent incident described by police, fraudsters claimed to represent the fraud department of a major financial institution. They used a falsified caller ID and a fraudulent verification website to gain the victim’s trust and obtain information.

Police said the fraudsters then gained unauthorized access to the victim’s financial and electronic accounts, changed email settings and made unauthorized credit-card purchases, causing significant financial losses.

The release did not identify where that incident occurred or how much money was lost.

The OPP cited Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre figures showing Canadians reported losing more than $28 million to bank-investigator scams in 2025.

Police advise people not to assume a number displayed on their phone identifies the caller accurately. Caller ID can be manipulated to make a fraudulent call appear legitimate.

Anyone receiving an unexpected call claiming to be from their financial institution should tell the caller they will call back using the number on the back of their bank or credit card, police said.

The OPP also cautions against giving remote access to a computer to someone the owner does not know or trust.

The warning comes from the East Region Integrated Fraud Awareness and Response Initiative, a pilot program launched in 2025. Its officers review fraud and cyber-related reports, support frontline investigations and investigate cases in collaboration with local detachments.

Anyone who suspects fraud or has been a victim should report it to their local police service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre through its online Fraud Reporting System or by calling 1-888-495-8501.