Victoria, BC – Officers are warning the public after an increase in property crime in Victoria is believed to be linked to the ease of credit card tap frauds.
Investigators believe that thieves target vehicles and commit break and enters with the intent of stealing credit cards with a tap function. The thieves then use the stolen cards at retailers who allow the tap transactions. With the tap function available there is no “PIN” number required for lower cost items, and thieves are able to obtain goods and services with a simple tap.
Investigators believe the ease of tap fraud encourages thieves to target vehicles, homes, and offices. In Victoria, property crime increased by 15% percent in 2019, with break and enters and theft from autos up over 30%. Esquimalt property crime statistics in 2019 remained consistent with 2018 levels.
How to prevent being victimized?
Ensure that your valuables, such as credit cards, are in your possession and not left in vehicles or offices. Consider contacting your financial institution and cancelling your tap feature.
What to do if your credit card is stolen?
It is important to act quickly if you’ve had your credit card stolen or your personal information compromised. Contact your financial institutions and ensure all payments that you have not authorized are stopped. Inform them of the fraud and change both passwords and access information. Please also call our non-emergency number at (250) 995-7654 to report the incident.
For more information on keeping yourself safe from fraud, please visit vicpd.ca/fraud
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