​Huron County OPP report bank ATM scams; and intimate partner violence

POLICE INVESTIGATING BANK ATM SCAMS IN HURON COUNTY

(HURON COUNTY, ON) - The Huron County OPP is investigating three recent scams that took advantage of Huron County residents while using ATM machines at local banks.

Police have determined that Jan. 18, at least three separate incidents took place at two different banks in Exeter, and one in the Town of Goderich.

In both incidents in Exeter, victims (aged 64 and 67) were using the bank ATM when they were "assisted" by an unknown person who appeared to be trying to help them. The real bank cards were swapped with fake cards during the interactions. The suspect(s) then stole money from the victims' accounts after obtaining their PIN numbers. One victim lost $900 while the other lost $1,400.

In the Goderich incident, the victim, who is 95 years of age, was using the bank ATM when her debit card showed an error on the machine and would not eject from the ATM. The victim departed the bank and later discovered that her debit card had been used to remove $1,500 from the ATM and another $2,000 in purchases at a local retail store.

Police are still investigating the frauds and are asking the public to come forward with any information that may assist police.

"This is a good time to remind everyone that while using bank ATMs, be mindful of who is in, or around, the area before using the machine,” says constable Craig Soldan of the Huron County OPP. “Never provide your PIN (password) digits to anyone. They may tamper with the ATM, and try to ‘help’ you with your debit card."

Call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 and report these types of frauds.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre should also be contacted with any information you might have. Call 1-888-495-8501 or antifraudcentre.ca.

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE INVESTIGATION RESULTS IN CHARGES

(GODERICH, ON) - Feb. 3, members of the Huron County OPP investigated a matter involving intimate partners in the Town of Goderich.

As a result of the investigation, OPP learned that the involved suspect had allegedly committed several criminal acts against the partner.

A 19-year-old individual of Goderich was arrested Feb. 4, and charged under the Criminal Code with the following offences:
 

• Mischief - Domestic
• Fail to Comply with Release Order (two counts)

The accused was processed and held for a bail hearing scheduled at the Ontario Court of Justice - Goderich.

Victims of intimate partner violence are not alone. If you need support, or know someone who does, there are local resources available to help. One organization you can contact is Victim Services of Huron at www.victimserviceshuron.ca or by calling toll free at 1-866-863-4108 or 1-519-600-4108.

The OPP can be reached anytime, anywhere in the Province of Ontario at 1-888-310-1122, or 911 in an emergency.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a secure web tip at P3tips.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.