Lakshanth Selvarajah (left) and Akshayah Tharmakuylenthiran are charged with 40 offences for defrauding seniors in credit card scam.
Toronto and York Police are warning elderly residents of an ongoing and vicious bank card scam that is targeting South Etobicoke and area seniors.
Two people have been arrested for allegedly impersonating bank staff or utility companies that are accused of preying on the elderly, including a 90-year-old couple.
“They will either get the victim to agree to upgrade their current services or simply tell them their cards are expired and they will need to get new ones,” according to a police release.
This couple is sought by police in a second recent scam defrauding seniors.
The suspects manage to “obtain the victim’s banking information and tell them they will issue them new cards.”
Police said the suspects will instruct the victims to place their cards in an envelope, place them into their mailbox and will send someone to pick up their old cards, leaving the new ones.
The suspects “will then empty all of the victim’s accounts associated to the cards or make purchases utilizing the cards.”
Officers are warning seniors to be wary of any cold calls or unsolicited persons claiming to upgrade their services.
Members of this ring have also been arrested by police in another racket that preyed on seniors in credit card scams.
They said banks will never ask anyone to place their bank or cards unattended in their mailbox.
Police said never provide banking information over the phone or rush into making a decision. If possible consult with a financial planner or your bank.
You are also urged to contact your bank or utility provider to ensure they are the ones calling by using the number you have for them, not with a number provided by the caller.
Also conduct a Google search for any scams or complaints associated with the company.
Police are warning seniors of a number of credit card scams targeting the elderly.
York Regional Police on April 4 arrested two people who are charged in relation to scamming seniors in credit card crimes.
The victims include a 90-year-old couple who received phone calls from the suspects pretending to be their banking and credit card companies.
The victims were led to believe their accounts were compromised. A courier was sent to the victim’s homes to retrieve their bank cards and passwords, which were then used for fraudulent purchases.
Charged are Lakshanth Selvarajah, 27, and Akshayah Tharmakuylenthiran, 25, both of Ajax, with 40 fraud related offences.
If in doubt contact police at 416-808-4300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.