Headline: Nova Scotia Resident Falls Victim to Elaborate Phone Scam Targeting Nova Scotia Power Customers
When Drew Kaulback of West Hants sought to settle his Nova Scotia Power bill, little did he know he was about to be ensnared in a sophisticated phone scam that would leave him frantically securing his financial accounts.
In a shocking twist of events, the toll-free number he found online, supposedly belonging to the utility, turned out to be a trap set by scammers. The scammer, posing as a Nova Scotia Power representative, cunningly extracted Kaulback’s account information and birthdate before attempting to lure him into making a payment via credit card.
To validate his legitimacy, Kaulback requested proof by asking the scammer to verify details from his previous bill. In a strange turn of events, the scammer successfully provided accurate information, prompting Kaulback to reveal his card details. However, when the scammer’s ploy to divert Kaulback to his bank for payment approval failed, suspicion arose.
Panic set in as Kaulback learned from his bank representative that the $692 payment in U.S. funds had been blocked as a likely scam. Feeling betrayed, Kaulback promptly canceled his card and confronted the scammer before terminating the call.
Casey Spears from Nova Scotia Power expressed concern over the surge in fraudulent activities targeting their customers, emphasizing ongoing efforts to combat these scams. Similar sentiments were echoed by Jeff Horncastle from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, who highlighted the common tactic of sponsored links deceiving unsuspecting individuals.
Despite the ordeal, Kaulback is now focused on securing his accounts and cautioning others against falling prey to such schemes. The incident serves as a stern reminder to always verify online platforms and contact details to prevent falling victim to malicious acts.
As authorities strive to combat these scams, individuals are urged to remain vigilant and report any fraudulent activities promptly. In the wake of this incident, the community stands united in solidarity against online fraud, emphasizing the importance of heightened caution in the digital age.
When Drew Kaulback of West Hants sought to settle his Nova Scotia Power bill, little did he know he was about to be ensnared in a sophisticated phone scam that would leave him frantically securing his financial accounts.
In a shocking twist of events, the toll-free number he found online, supposedly belonging to the utility, turned out to be a trap set by scammers. The scammer, posing as a Nova Scotia Power representative, cunningly extracted Kaulback’s account information and birthdate before attempting to lure him into making a payment via credit card.
To validate his legitimacy, Kaulback requested proof by asking the scammer to verify details from his previous bill. In a strange turn of events, the scammer successfully provided accurate information, prompting Kaulback to reveal his card details. However, when the scammer’s ploy to divert Kaulback to his bank for payment approval failed, suspicion arose.
Panic set in as Kaulback learned from his bank representative that the $692 payment in U.S. funds had been blocked as a likely scam. Feeling betrayed, Kaulback promptly canceled his card and confronted the scammer before terminating the call.
Casey Spears from Nova Scotia Power expressed concern over the surge in fraudulent activities targeting their customers, emphasizing ongoing efforts to combat these scams. Similar sentiments were echoed by Jeff Horncastle from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, who highlighted the common tactic of sponsored links deceiving unsuspecting individuals.
Despite the ordeal, Kaulback is now focused on securing his accounts and cautioning others against falling prey to such schemes. The incident serves as a stern reminder to always verify online platforms and contact details to prevent falling victim to malicious acts.
As authorities strive to combat these scams, individuals are urged to remain vigilant and report any fraudulent activities promptly. In the wake of this incident, the community stands united in solidarity against online fraud, emphasizing the importance of heightened caution in the digital age.
