Bank probing disappearance of man's money
A Whitehorse man fell victim to online banking theft Wednesday, leaving him cash-strapped until his bank's fraud unit completes an investigation into the incident.
A Whitehorse man fell victim to online banking theft Wednesday, leaving him cash-strapped until his bank's fraud unit completes an investigation into the incident.
The man, who wished to remain nameless for security reasons, explained in an interview Thursday that he was paid on Wednesday.
Before going to work, he went on his online banking account from his home computer to pay his Yukon Electrical Co. Ltd. bill and signed out of his account.
At lunch time, he went to Scotiabank to withdraw money, only to discover the money he had just a few hours earlier was gone.
Returning to work, he checked his online account and discovered an email transfer to Ehsan Shamlou for $1,456 had gone through at about 12:30 p.m.
He returned to Scotiabank one more time and the bank contacted its fraud investigation unit. He was told he'd hear back in two to three weeks.
"And in the meantime, I have no money,” he said.
"It's pretty crazy. I didn't think it would ever happen to me.”
He has also filed a report with the RCMP.
Luckily, the man's partner is also expecting a paycheque this week, so the couple will be able to get through the next few weeks.
But he had to cancel his credit card because that information was available on his online account, so he easily could have been left without any money until his next paycheque or until the bank completes its investigation.
It was the bank's system that was compromised, he noted.
"They're the ones who have a security system that's supposed to protect the money that we put into their bank.
"My feeling is that what should happen is they should reimburse us immediately. They have access to our account, and if through their investigation they find out that
it was us who transferred the money and we're lying, they can just take that money right back,” he said.
Doug Janzen, the local branch manager, explained the bank's policy is not to reimburse stolen money until the investigation is complete and they've confirmed it was indeed pilfered and the bank was at fault.
"If it is something the bank was responsible for, we do have a 100-per-cent guarantee,” said Janzen.
This morning, the bank told the man his money will be returned by early next week at the latest.
Scotiabank's corporate media relations personnel did not respond to the Star's Thursday requests for more information about the incident or the bank's policy regarding these types of incidents before this afternoon's press deadline.
Comments (16)
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anonymous on Jun 6, 2013 at 10:03 am
"Now that I have had some time to review what happened last week, I do believe that it was likely spyware/malware that infected my work computer, despite the anti-virus protection I had in place."
Hmm. So now you are saying it was your work computer but you told the Whitehorse Star that "before going to work, he went on his online banking account from his home computer to pay his Yukon Electrical Co. Ltd. bill and signed out of his account."
You said it happened at home. You also told the Whitehorse Star "It was the bank's system that was compromised, he noted. They're the ones who have a security system that's supposed to protect the money that we put into their bank."
That is blaming the bank and while it is not your fault it is not the bank's fault either. I think you could have been decent and just not involved the media like you did. You could have given the bank a chance to fix it. They did not fix it because you ran to the paper but because it is their policy to reimburse under fraudulent circumstances. Now there reputation is damaged because you went to the paper.
You were wrong to do so. Next time give people a chance before flipping out.
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Some Clarity on Jun 6, 2013 at 5:58 am
I would just like to note that I am the person this article was written about. I've read through some of the comments regarding this story and, despite my better judgement, decided I should provide some clarity for the computer chair know-it-all's who believe my naivety allowed me to fall victim to what was clearly a 'phishing scam'.
I use online banking only at work and on my personal computer at home. Both of the computers I use for online banking have anti-virus protection and I am careful to change my passwords regularly. And despite the temptation to have 3.2 million British pounds sent to my account from a long-lost relative in Africa, I was born in the era of the internet and am well aware of how phishing scams operate.
Now that I have had some time to review what happened last week, I do believe that it was likely spyware/malware that infected my work computer, despite the anti-virus protection I had in place. And as others have noted, since there have been no other reports (as far as I know) of this happening to other Scotiabank customers it's safe to assume that it wasn't a larger security issue. From the onset, I was not trying to place blame, but only find answers as to why this occurred, and to ensure it was resolved quickly.
Since the article was written, management at Scotiabank have been more than helpful in trying to resolve the situation as soon as possible. Doug Janzen, the branch manager was in contact with me daily providing updates regarding the investigation, and thankfully, on Monday morning it was determined that it was a case of fraud/identity theft, and my money was returned to my account. Their investigation team suspected it was spy/malware as well, but they were not able to confirm with certainty.
From my perspective, the intention of the article was to bring awareness to potential risks involved with online banking despite the precautions that we take to ensure security, not to place blame or absolve myself from responsibility.
Thanks again to Doug Jenzen and the staff at Scotiabank for acting fast, being professional, and bringing closure to what was a fairly stressful week last week. And remember to do virus scans regularly. Keep fit and have fun...
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Jackie Ward on Jun 5, 2013 at 4:18 pm
I have a perfect system to foil fraudsters. I have no money. And all my credit cards are maxed out, lol. I'm selling my fool proof system for $19.99 plus shipping. I'll just send you an email, but I still will charge you for shipping. It's greener that way. Well, according to Al Gore it is.
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Irritated on Jun 5, 2013 at 3:27 am
I had written a comment about my visa/bank card recently being skimmed and used to make purchases around town, and how the police felt that it was of little importance and that, by the time they decided to check it out at all, it was to late, and although I had felt it was important and wanted to press charges they did little to try and apprehend the person. Therefore, I am wondering as to why my previous comment never got added to the stream as it was a warning to others in town to watch their credit card statements. I did not realize I had been a victim of credit card fraud until my next statement came through, which like me many people don't look to closely at.
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Paula on Jun 4, 2013 at 2:23 am
I had a problem with Scotiabank depositing money into my account on a weekly basis - I brought it to their attention and it took them over a month to figure out that they were depositing money from an account whose number was very similar to mine. I imagine the other person was in the same boat as this guy, wondering where his money went.
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Paul wray on Jun 3, 2013 at 9:31 am
This winter I checked my online CIBC account and found that some one had used my debit card in Denver, Col. I notified the bank and my account was shut down. The card was in my possession at all times and no one had access to my PIN numbers. Check your account daily!
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It happens on Jun 3, 2013 at 8:00 am
Had the same problem with scotiabank in 2007, $900 was emailed to someone in California. After the bank saying it was probably my fault from using my online account on a public computer they deposited the money back into my account a few weeks later. Presumably after they found out it was their fault.
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Thomas Brewer on Jun 3, 2013 at 3:42 am
As a ScotiaBank shareholder, I do not wish my equity stake to be consumed by paying out 'compensation' for people foolish enough to fall prey to a phishing scam. If indeed the investigation shows the culpability falls on the bank, then by all means make restitution. Otherwise, you just learned an expensive lesson sir.
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Really? on Jun 3, 2013 at 3:10 am
Jack - we have no idea whether the Ehsan Shamlou who recieved the funds is in Canada - a lot of online fraudsters are in other countries.
June - there may be other customers who have been affected and we just haven't heard about it yet (not everyone likes to go public about issues). Some people aren't very diligent about checking bank balances and statements, especially if they don't have money problems (don't live paycheque to paycheque.)
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Capt Obvious on Jun 3, 2013 at 3:08 am
Sounds like a phishing attack. I work in I.T. and see these ALL the time. You have an obligation to make sure your computer is NOT compromised before you do secure transactions. Or else they stop being secure.
Just Say'in is correct in his description of a phishing attack, and spyware/malware can also be used to compromise your security.
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Arn Anderson on Jun 3, 2013 at 1:48 am
I had multiple emails from my bank, credit cards and even facebook telling me to log in. They are almost authentic looking but the dead giveaway is in the address bar, a normal one will say www.rbc.ca/.etc but the fake one will read www.rbxyahoo....whatever.
I pulled up both sites side by side and they looked exactly the same, just the address bar is different. I have a feeling this guy actually logged in on one of those.
Most web browsers should have that little green security check beside the addy name, pay attention folks!
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Just Say'in on Jun 1, 2013 at 9:43 am
Just only last week I received an email supposedly from the TD Bank asking me to send in some of my account info and there was a link to click on. I forwarded it to the TD Bank and contacted them by phone so that they could attend to it. I have three banks that I deal with but the TD was not one of them so that made it obvious. However your Bank will never contact you by email requesting info so don't click on anything. Sometimes people are very gullible when it comes to emails and links.
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jack on May 31, 2013 at 3:33 pm
a simple google search would reveal Ehsan Shamlou lives in Quebec and there seems to be only one in Canada. Seems to be an architect with his own business, may be a bank mistake rather than fraud.
Why not give him a call to find out.
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June Jackson on May 31, 2013 at 2:47 pm
If the banks system was compromised, how come more accounts weren't grabbed.. I saw a show on internet fraud on TV; a waiter in a restaurant had a duplicator..when he took the persons debit card, he ran a copy when the client typed in his PIN. It's scary to think some one could be doing something like that in Whitehorse.. but in truth, every one of us, with a bank card or internet accounts is at risk. Even at Walmart there are camera's over the tills.. can they see you punch in your PIN? They will have your card number from the purchase. How safe are we?
Who ever you are..don't be silent.. make a lot of noise.. it looks bad for a bank when their customers get robbed so I don't think they publicize account thefts.. I also think there is more of this going on than we know..
Why did you call the RCMP? It's not like they will do anything.
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anonymous on May 31, 2013 at 10:57 am
You must have done something. This doesn't just happen. Did you receive an e-mail from "the bank" saying you had to log into your account or change your password? Did you actually do it? People do not have access to your account unless you give them access.
Also, why only you? If the bank was "compromised" as you say then what makes you so special? It would have happened to more customers than yourself.
People are so quick to blame others when they should really look at what they did to cause this.
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doris melberg on May 31, 2013 at 8:01 am
This customer of Scotiabank should immediately get in touch with Ellen Roseman financial writer for Toronto Star and let her know the bank is holding his funds. The story would get plastered all over the paper.
Ellen Roseman | Toronto Star
www.thestar.com/authors.roseman_ellen.html
Ellen Roseman's column appears in the Toronto Star's business section Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Focusing on personal finance, investing and ...