Guelph police warn of local banking scam targeting seniors
Posted Aug 29, 2026 11:53:59 AM.
Guelph Police Service have published a bulletin warning the public, particular local seniors, of a banking scam that has been targeting older individuals.
According to police, multiple residents in Guelph have reported being contacted by someone claiming to be from the target’s bank or credit bureau. The caller tells the target that there has been suspicious activity with their financial account.
The fraudulent callers reportedly sound professional and polite to the call recipient in order to get them to gather their cards, before asking for the name, number, and PIN code for each card.
Upon gaining this information, the victim of the fraud is then given the name of a person who will come to the victim’s home to “turn over their cards for replacement.” Police say the individual that comes to the door is then given a name and a “verification code” provided by the initial caller.
The person who arrives is said to take the banking cards and promise that new ones will be delivered by mail. The scam suspects then take the cards and the acquired banking information, and charge thousands of dollars in purchases to the victims’ accounts.
Guelph Police Service say they urge locals to speak with their elderly friends and family to make them aware of the scam. Police say anyone who receives a call requesting this type of financial information, should call their bank or financial provider using a contact number they trust to confirm the information provided.
To learn more about this and other scams prevalent in Canada, visit the website of the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Crime
