August 27, 2021
A new phone scam, referred to as the Delayed Disconnect Phone Scam, has recently started growing in popularity throughout Canada. Callers are explaining that they are from your bank’s Fraud Department, and are asking to verify suspicious charges. They don’t ask for any personal or financial information, but instead ask you to hang up, and call the number on the back of your credit or debit card.
Even though you hang up, on a landline phone the caller can stay on the line through what’s known as a Delayed Disconnect which can keep the previous caller connected to your line for up to 10 seconds after hanging up. When you begin to dial the number on the back of your credit card they may even play a false dial tone to simulate a new call. Typically, a second person will ‘answer your call’ claiming to be from your bank and may ‘transfer’ you to the Fraud Department. They then ask numerous security questions to ‘verify your identity’.
The team of callers can use the information you provide to steal your identity or make purchases with your credit card information.
If you receive a call about suspicious charges on your credit or debit card, do not give the caller any information. Instead, hang up the phone immediately and wait at least 30 seconds. Another option is to use your mobile phone instead of a landline. Call our Customer Care Department at (207) 284-4591 and we will be able to determine if there is any suspicious activity on your account.
