Police are warning the public about a telephone scam that nearly cost a victim a large amount of money.

Halifax District RCMP received a complaint after a 67-year-old woman from the Tantallon area realized she had been targeted by a fraudster who attempted to steal $50,000 from her bank accounts.

Earlier in the day, the victim received a telephone call from a man telling her that her anti-virus program had expired and he could help her by allowing him access to her computer. Access was provided at which time he installed an unknown computer program. Shortly after she received another telephone call advising her she needed to access her bank account on-line to deposit a refund he was going to give her. Access was granted and the victim later noticed funds missing from her account. However, the quick action of her financial institution prevented the attempted theft from being completed. The victim immediately reported the incident to RCMP.

“Far too often we see people fall victim to such criminals who are persistent in their efforts to allow them access to their computer,” says Sgt. Jason McNeil, Fraud Section, ICID. “If you receive a telephone call and the person asks to help you with a computer problem, hang up and don’t engage in further conversation with them.”

The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the Fraud Section of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division. Police are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Halifax District RCMP or Halifax Regional Police at 902-490-5020. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you can also contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or text TIP202 + your message to ‘CRIMES’ (274637) or submit tips by Secure Web Tips at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca. Calls to Crime Stoppers are not taped or traced and if police make an arrest and lay charges based on a tip, callers qualify for a cash award.

.

Source: Media Release