Mounties are asking for the public’s help identifying a clever thief who they allege was able to dupe a financial institution into providing personal identification numbers for stolen bank cards.
The victim left her purse in her car, which she accidentally left unlocked, after parking it on Riverside Drive on the afternoon of Aug. 24, 2014, Penticton RCMP spokesman Sgt. Rick Dellebuur said Friday in a press release.
Although the woman cancelled her cards as soon as possible, her financial institution told her a total of $3,504 had already been withdrawn from her bank account and two credit cards.
“Subsequent investigation has revealed that the thief apparently was able to contact one of the financial institutions and request the PIN number, claiming (he) had forgot same,” Dellebuur said.
“Having the woman's wallet with her personal information made it easy to answer the security questions asked,” he continued.
Dellebuur noted the woman’s PIN was the same across all of her accounts, something police recommend against, as is setting up security questions that can be answered with basic personal information found in one’s wallet or purse.
Photos of the alleged thief were obtained from one of the banks whose machines the man used to take out money. Penticton RCMP would like to hear from anyone who can identify him.
The detachment can be reached at 250-492-4300 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.