A woman from Halifax is speaking out about her ordeal as a victim of fraud in the hopes of raising awareness and preventing others from falling victim to scammers.
Candida Hadley shared her story after realizing her wallet was stolen while meeting a friend at a café in north-end Halifax. Upon discovering the theft and preparing to freeze her cards, she received a call that appeared to be from her bank, claiming there was suspicious activity on her card. The caller asked for verification details, including her PIN, which she unknowingly provided.
After canceling her cards, Hadley suspected she had been scammed. Unfortunately, the fraudsters managed to make a $700 purchase at a local store and withdrew $500 in cash within a short timeframe. They also attempted a $3,000 purchase elsewhere, but were unsuccessful.
Despite being cautious, Hadley fell prey to the sophisticated scam, which also involved a suspicious automated call regarding a fraudulent purchase at a mall. She expressed confusion over how the scammers obtained her unlisted cellphone number, emphasizing the need for vigilance.
Halifax Regional Police are investigating the incident, emphasizing the prevalence of such scams and advising the public to safeguard personal information. Hadley’s bank refused a refund due to her disclosure of the PIN.
Reflecting on the experience, Hadley cautioned against sharing personal details and highlighted the ease with which scammers can manipulate caller IDs. The investigation into the fraud case is ongoing.
The incident serves as a reminder to exercise caution in responding to unsolicited calls and safeguard personal information to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.
