Ontario woman warns about choosing credit card PIN after RBC refuses to refund $8,772
An Ontario woman is warning people about what they choose as their credit card PIN after she said RBC refused to refund nearly $9,000 in fraudulent charges.
Ajax woman Rosina Ego-Aguirre said she went to downtown Toronto with a friend to visit Ripley's Aquarium in early April. Before getting to the aquarium, Ego-Aguirre said, she stopped for coffee, and at some point her wallet was taken out of her purse.
She said she had five cards inside her wallet, including three from RBC, one from BMO and one from Tangerine.
The 70-year-old said within two hours of her wallet being stolen, more than $20,000 in fraudulent purchases had been made on her various cards, including $9,242 through her RBC cards.
"I got a voice message from RBC telling me that there was unusual activity on my credit card," Ego-Aguirre told CTV News Toronto.
Ego-Aguirre said she called RBC back immediately to discuss the transactions, but waited on hold for more than 40 minutes without answer. Still downtown, she decided to go to the nearest branch to have her cards blocked.
She said she waited more than two hours for the branch to get a hold of RBC's fraud department. Ego-Aguirre said she was eventually given a provisional client card to use and was told RBC would follow up with her in the coming days.
"When I was dealing with the fraud department, the lady asked me questions about my PIN," she said.
Ego-Aguirre said she was asked by RBC if she used a PIN that was associated with her birthday.
"I said, 'Yes.' I was honest, I wasn't going to lie,” she said. "Then they told me they couldn't refund anything because it was my fault."
According to Ego-Aguirre, RBC will only refund her $470 in charges that were processed using tap. She says $8,772 in transactions completed by the thieves using a PIN won't be refunded because her numbers were not secure enough.
Ego-Aguirre said both BMO and Tangerine, where she uses a similar PIN, refunded the full amount within days.
"The manner in which I was treated by RBC during this experience has added to the trauma of being a victim of crime, and has further elicited strong feelings of deception, rejection, betrayal and pain," she said.
Ego-Aguirre said she has been using that PIN for more than 20 years, and has been a client with RBC for more than 43 years.
"My husband and I both are retired. We're senior citizens, and we live on a pension. What they are trying to withhold from me is basically a year's pension," she said. "In my household, every penny counts."
In a statement to CTV News Toronto, RBC said "in all instances (of fraud), we work with the client throughout the process and keep them informed, as we are continuing to do so in this case."
"Clients should choose a PIN they can easily remember, but avoid numbers and letters that others might guess, such as your birth date, phone number or address."
The bank said they would not comment any further about Ego-Aguirre's situation because of privacy concerns.
"I feel that I have been let down by the institution I trusted for the past 43 years," Ego-Aguirre said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.