Surrey Mounties are looking for a suspect after someone drained thousands of dollars from a victim’s bank account while they were on vacation.
Corporal Scotty Schumann said the victim discovered purchases and withdrawals had been made at stores and automatic teller machines with the victim’s debit card.
“The financial institution was notified and was able to obtain surveillance photos of the alleged suspect,” Schumann said. “It’s been determined that mail theft was likely the catalyst that allowed the owner of the debit card to be impersonated. Officers have been unable to identify the suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance.”
Police are looking for a white man, about 25 years old and 150 pounds who has short dark hair, a slim build and wore dark pants with a grey hoody or black jacket.
“Mail theft is one of the easiest ways for someone to be impersonated,” Schumann said. “With your personal information, fraudsters can even get access to your bank accounts. Pick up your mail daily, or stop delivering while you are away. Diligence is the best protection against identity theft.”
Police are asking anyone who might know who this suspect is to call the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca
Meantime, you can learn more about fraud prevent by visiting the Surrey RCMP’s website and if you are a fraud victim, you can also report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online.
tom.zytaruk@thenownewspaper.com