Ontario student warns about losing debit card after $14,000 lands on RBC account
An Ontario student is warning people of the risk that comes with failing to report a lost debit card after $14,000 in fraudulent deposits landed in her RBC account.
College student Frances Ward said her bank card went missing last fall and she never noticed the activity because she mostly uses her phone to do mobile payments.
But someone used her bank card to deposit fake cheques, with the first one being for about $2,000.
Frances's mother Marilyn Ward also has her name on the account because she set it up with Frances.
Marilyn said the account does not have overdraft, so the fraudulent cheques should never have been allowed to be cashed, putting the account into a negative balance.
"I don't know why it was allowed to happen. The account does not have overdraft on it, so the first cheque went through and into overdraft and at the time it should have been stopped," said Marilyn.
Over a week in September 2021, a series of fake cheques were cashed totaling about $13,000, which with interest, the bank said, left them owing more than $14,000.
The Wards, who are customers with RBC, said the bank conducted an investigation into the cheques, but determined they would have to repay the money.
After CTV News Toronto contacted RBC, the Wards said they received a call from the bank saying they would no longer have to repay the funds.
According to the Wards, RBC initially said the debit card was not reported missing, and whoever had the card had to have known the secret access code.
"They basically said you are responsible for the missing money because they said, 'It is your card and your PIN (Personal Identification Number)," Frances said.
Frances said she doesn't know how anyone could have known her PIN.
"I didn't have it written down and it wasn’t my birthday," said Frances.
RBC then told the Wards in a letter that they would have to reimburse the bank the amount of the fake cheques, plus interest, totaling $14,071.
The Wards said they feel the bank should not have allowed the cheques to be cashed, and said they shouldn't be held accountable for the fraud.
"This is not money we have taken from the bank and we should not be held responsible," Frances said.
When CTV News reached out to RBC, Edith Galinaitis, Director of Communications with RBC, said, "We review client complaints regarding unauthorized transactions on a case-by-case basis. We also remind clients of the importance of protecting their PIN and client card and provide guidance on how to do that."
"In all instances, we work with the client throughout the process and keep them informed, as we did in this case," Galinaitis said. "We have shared our findings on this matter with our client, and explained the reasons for our decision, based on a careful review of the relevant facts."
It's not clear why the bank reversed its decision to ask the Wards to repay the funds.
"I'm so happy that this has been cleared up," Marilyn said, "as it has been going on over nine or 10 months. It is such a relief."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
As storms moves across Texas, 1 child dies after being swept away in floodwaters
A child in Texas died Sunday after being swept away in floodwaters as storms swept across the state.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.