Police in Woodstock say scammers are attempting to pose as a victim’s relative in distress to gain banking information.
On Monday, the Woodstock Police Service said they were notified by multiple individuals who said they were targeted by the phone scam.
Police learned that during the instances, the caller identified themselves as a relative and told the victim that they had been in an accident overnight and needed help. The caller also told the victim that the police would follow up and that they are waiting to go to court.
Afterwards, the victim received another call, this time from someone posing as a court lawyer. The caller then requested banking information, telling the victim that they needed to send a large sum of money to cover their relative’s court fees.
At least one victim had an unspecified amount of funds taken from their account, police say.
During the investigation, Woodstock police say they identified the number used in the scam originated from British Columbia. Police say they have since contacted the Law Society of British Columbia and determined the name of the lawyer given to victims was false.
Residents are being reminded never to give out banking information over the phone.
“Woodstock Police Service will never ask for banking information or payment over the phone. If you have a senior relative, please caution them against phone scams like this,” read a statement from Woodstock police. “If you have a senior relative, please caution them against phone scams like this.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Woodstock police at (519) 537-2323.
