A Kitchener man who was the target of a possible identity theft is hoping to warn others so they don't become victims.
Mark Laroque received a phone call purporting to be from the security and fraud division of his credit card company. They told him that his MasterCard had been compromised and that someone was running up charges.
"The gentleman said the credit card has been used in France and was also asking questions about Kitchener," says Laroque.
But after checking with his credit card company to ensure nothing was wrong, he got another call.
Laroque then knew it was a fraud because the credit card representative he had been in touch with told him his card hadn't been compromised.
Authorities say the scammers already have a lot of information about the cards and the people they contact.
"They're coming up with information related to that credit card like the person's name, their address and the credit card number," says Waterloo Regional Police Staff Sergeant Paul Lobsinger.
The scammers will then ask to verify the person still has the card and ask them to read the numbers on the back of the card, including the three- or four-digit security numbers.
"There's something we'll call dumpster diving where they'll go into people's garbage and get things out of there. Credit card receipts that haven't been shredded, things like that," Lobsinger adds.
Authorities recommend shredding any personal information before throwing it in the garbage.
As for Laroque, he says he always shreds his personal information but the call should be a warning to everyone.
Anyone who wants more information on preventing fraud can call the WRPS Fraud Branch at 519-650-8500 Ext. 8380 or 8381 or visit: http://www.wrps.on.ca/stay-safe/your-personal-safety/fraud-prevention
