A woman from Halifax is recounting her encounter with fraud in an effort to caution others against falling victim to scammers.
Candida Hadley discovered her wallet missing after meeting a friend for tea at a café in north-end Halifax. Moments later, she received a call that appeared to be from her bank, reporting suspicious activity on her card. Believing it to be genuine, she unwittingly disclosed her PIN to the caller, who turned out to be the thief.
Subsequently, Hadley sensed something amiss and cancelled her cards. However, the scammers had already made a $700 purchase and withdrew $500 in cash within a brief window of access. They also attempted a $3,000 purchase at Best Buy, which was unsuccessful.
The fraud continued with an automated call concerning a purchase at an Apple store, adding to Hadley’s suspicion of a coordinated scam. Despite her vigilance, she remains perplexed about how the scammers obtained her unlisted cellphone number.
Authorities are investigating the incident, underscoring the prevalence of such scams. Halifax Regional Police advise the public to refrain from sharing personal information and to verify the legitimacy of any unexpected communication.
Hadley emphasizes the importance of never divulging personal details to unknown callers and urges caution in handling such situations. Despite her ordeal, she hopes her experience serves as a cautionary tale to prevent others from falling prey to similar scams.