An Ontario retiree says she’s devastated after losing $60,000 in a bank scam that started when a virus appeared on her laptop screen.
“I couldn’t turn it off, I couldn’t turn it off, this lady’s voice kept saying ‘you’re infected, don’t touch your computer and don’t call this number,'” said Katarina Muir of Etobicoke.
Muir was working on her computer last month when the virus caused her laptop to freeze and there was a phone number that claimed to be Microsoft for her to call for help.
Muir called the number, but the person who answered claimed to be a manager in her bank’s fraud department and said they were investigating criminal activity at her local branch and needed her help.
“They said you’d been compromised with this Trojan virus and someone in Hong Kong was using your name and bank information to buy child porn, and I freaked out,” Muir said.
The man on the phone first told Muir to transfer $10,000 from his bank account to a bank account in Hong Kong so they could catch the criminals when they went to collect the money.
The scammers then told her that the first attempt to catch the criminals had failed and she needed to wire another $50,000.
Muir said because she thought she was dealing with officials from her bank who were trying to stop a child pornography ring, she went ahead and wired the money.
When the funds were not returned to her bank account, she went to her local bank branch to ask when the money would be returned to her.
Then employees at her local Scotiabank branch told her she had been caught in a scam.
“They told Mrs. Muir there was nothing we could do for you. It’s your fault. You signed up for it,” Muir said.
Muir is from Scotiabank. Katie Raskina, manager of media relations and issues management at Scotiabank, said in a statement to CTV News Toronto. “Scotiabank cannot comment on specific customer matters for confidentiality reasons. Fraud is a constant risk in financial services and other industries and is an ever-evolving threat here in Canada and around the world.”
“It is in our interest to be diligent against fraud to ensure we maintain the trust and confidence of our employees and customers; to this end, we work closely with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center (CAFC), the Canadian Bankers Association (CBA), law enforcement and partners in other financial institutions to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect our customers .”
“We encourage all people to practice safe banking habits and do their part to recognize, reject and report fraud. For resources and advice, please visit www.scotiabank.com/security.”
Muir said that at the time her computer was hacked and she dealt with the scammers, it was the first anniversary of her husband’s death and she was in an emotional state as they had been married for 43 years.
“My husband would be absolutely devastated that this happened to me,” Muir said. “I know if you were here this would never have happened.
Scotiabank is continuing its investigation into what happened, and Muir is still hopeful that somehow her $60,000 can be returned, as it is money she set aside to renovate her home.
“I need this money back. I won’t survive without it,” Muir said.
If you ever get a message on your computer telling you to call someone, don’t do it, and never take instructions from someone telling you to transfer funds from your bank account.
If in doubt, talk to someone you trust and contact your bank directly.
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