Members of the Saskatoon Police Service Economic Crime Unit are warning the public about a reoccurring scam in our city.

This scam involves fraudsters working in a group of typically two to four people. They target seniors shopping at big box stores, strip malls or businesses with large parking lots. As the victim pays for their purchase, the fraudsters view their pin entry as they wait behind them in line. When the victim makes their way back to their vehicle, the fraudsters approached them, informing the victim that they have dropped money or a card from their wallet. Once the victim opens their wallet to check, the fraudsters bombard them with a multitude of questions and concerns, oftentimes being joined by an accomplice fraudster. They aim to create a distracting/confusing situation. During this ordeal, the fraudsters are able to remove the target credit/debit card from the unknowing victim’s wallet.

The fraudsters will quickly purchase gift cards from stores and attend to banks to make cash withdrawals. In some cases, as many as three or four different fraudsters from the same group with make these consecutive purchases and withdrawals until the card is shut down.

These suspects are considered traveling fraudsters and typically only remain in a city for a period of time, before moving on to the next location. Reports of this scam are common across Canada in the summer months, when the weather is nice.

If you have become a victim of fraud, please file a Police report online, by phone (306-975-8300), or by attending to SPS Headquarters.