RCMP Strathcona County - Strathcona County RCMP Alert Public Of Rising Bank Investigator Scam

July 4 , 2025

Strathcona County RCMP alert public of rising bank investigator scam

Strathcona County, Alta. – Strathcona County RCMP is warning public of an ongoing “bank investigator” scam. Fraudsters are impersonating banks, law enforcement, Amazon, and credit bureaus, claiming victims' accounts have been compromised and urging them to take immediate action.

These scams are increasingly sophisticated. In some cases, scammers use spoofed phone numbers to make it appear as though they are calling from legitimate institutions. They may also reference personal details like your name, address, or even your Social Insurance Number to gain trust.

Tactics include:

  • Automated calls requesting access to your computer to “investigate” fraudulent transactions.
  • Asking victims to transfer funds to “safe” accounts as part of an ongoing investigation.
  • Convincing victims to share security codes sent via text or email, which allows fraudsters to bypass multi-factor authentication and access bank accounts.
  • Sending someone to the victim’s home to collect debit or credit cards under the false pretense of assisting with an investigation.

How to Protect Yourself:

  • Never share one-time codes received via text or email.
  • Hang up and call your bank or service provider using a trusted phone number.
  • Do not provide remote access to your device to anyone.
  • No financial institution, credit bureau, or police service will ever ask you to transfer funds for safekeeping or collect your bank card.

If you believe you’ve been targeted or have shared information, report it to your local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.