A single mother from the North Shore is facing a financial crisis after being deceived into transferring $53,000 to a fraudster impersonating a Royal Bank employee. Frustrated by the bank’s lack of action, she questions their response to unauthorized transactions. Despite reporting the incident to the police and seeking legal assistance, the bank denied her reimbursement. Victims of similar scams are urged to be cautious, particularly about requests for sensitive information or funds.
Single Mother Faces Financial Crisis After Deceptive Robbery
“I find myself in the unfortunate position of repaying a debt that is not mine. I have no choice but to sell my house,” shares a distressed single mother from the North Shore, who fell victim to a deceptive scheme that cost her $53,000.
Many others have faced similar predicaments, such as a man who lost $7,400 to a fraudulent Royal Bank employee and another victim of a text scam seeking a refund of $10,000. These stories highlight the alarming rise in scams targeting unsuspecting individuals.
Questioning the Bank’s Response
Forty-one-year-old Aurélie Depoilly, a call center supervisor in the insurance field, is frustrated. “Why did the fraud department of the Royal Bank remain inactive? They could clearly see that the transaction originated from an IP address that was not mine,” she wonders aloud.
She raises an important point: “If a $2,000 unauthorized purchase triggers a call from them, why didn’t anyone from the Royal Bank reach out after I lost over $50,000?”
The ordeal began at the end of October when Aurélie received a phone call while driving. A man on the line claimed to be a Royal Bank employee, warning her of imminent threats to her account. He urged her to transfer $10,000 to her own account to prevent fraudulent access.
Despite her initial hesitation, Aurélie was convinced after checking with a friend who confirmed that the call appeared legitimate. “I trusted him,” she recalls with regret.
A Series of Transactions
Over the next five days, Aurélie unwittingly fell deeper into the fraud. “It was two transactions of $5,000 each day, culminating in a total of $13,000 on the final day,” she explains.
On the Monday following the last transfer, she decided to call her bank directly, only to find out she had been speaking to a fraudster all along. “I am appalled by the lack of support and empathy from the Royal Bank,” she declares.
After filing a complaint with the Laval police, Aurélie was met with disappointment when the bank refused to reimburse her. Undeterred, she is now seeking a banking law attorney to elevate her case, hoping to shed light on her experience in the media.
“I am not to blame. It’s a scam, and the Royal Bank is profiting from the theft of which I was a victim. This should not be allowed,” she asserts.
When approached for comment, a representative from the Royal Bank refrained from discussing Aurélie’s situation due to confidentiality policies. However, spokesperson Jessica Assaf acknowledged the stress associated with being a fraud victim, assuring that each case is investigated thoroughly.
How to Identify a Scam
To protect yourself from similar scams, remember that no RBC representative should ever ask you to:
- Provide a one-time access code received via text, email, or voicemail
- Transfer money to secure your profile or share links for wire transfers
- Download remote access applications
- Access your online banking to add beneficiaries on your behalf
- Take part in any covert operations to prevent fraud
(Source: Royal Bank)