Woman accused of using SIM swapping to steal funds from Durham resident’s bank account
Police are searching for a woman who allegedly stole funds from a Durham Region resident's bank account through SIM swapping.
Last March, a suspect went to three TD banks in Mississauga and allegedly impersonated the victim, police said.
"The suspect took control of the victim's cell phone number by SIM swap, and used the phone number to receive passcodes from the bank's two-factor authentication," police allege in a news release on Thursday.
As a result, the suspect was allegedly able to transfer money out of the victim's bank account into another account.
On Thursday, police released photos of the suspect, described as a female between 50 and 60 years old, five-foot-three, with long black hair and wearing glasses.
Investigators ask anyone who can identify the suspect to contact them at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5371 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), SIM swapping involves scammers pretending to be the victim to gain access to their mobile account and may claim that the phone has been lost or stolen.
A new SIM will be linked to your phone number as well as another device that the scammer controls.
"The fraudster then downloads a series of the most popular and most attractive applications. They will select the 'Forgot Password' button on all applications. If an account is associated to your phone number or email address, the fraudster will receive a verification code. They will then use this code to confirm ownership of the account, create their own password and take over the accounts," CAFC said, adding that scammers could then empty bank accounts, apply for credit in the victim's good name and impersonate the victim to defraud their entire contact list.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton dead following prison attack
Convicted B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, who preyed on women he lured from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to his rural pig farm, has died.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Ex-husband charged with murder in death of Lumby, B.C., woman
The ex-husband of Tatjana Stefanski – the woman whose disappearance and death set the small town of Lumby, B.C., on edge last month – has been charged with her murder.
Oilers beat Stars, one win away from Stanley Cup berth
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored two power-play goals as Edmonton smothered the Dallas Stars 3-1 to take a 3-2 lead in the NHL's Western Conference final on Friday.
Baby dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to woman who was in police custody
A newborn is dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to a woman in police custody.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
DND moving 1,000 employees out of Ottawa office building due to safety concerns
The Department of National Defence is moving approximately 1,000 employees out of an office building in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood, citing safety concerns for its employees.
Man convicted of killing Toronto cop in 1980 granted day parole
A man convicted of murdering a Toronto police officer more than four decades ago has been granted day parole for six months.