Salmon Arm RCMP is warning local businesses after a scam cost one company $195,000, highlighting the growing sophistication of fraud targeting the community.
Police said the incident began in February when someone posing as a TD fraud department employee contacted a Salmon Arm business about a supposed suspicious login attempt.
“The fraudster provided a website and instructed the employee to login using their credentials. The employee was then told that the account was now frozen, they would contact the business in a few days, and asked to speak with the business owner,” Cst. Andrew Hodges, spokesperson for the Salmon Arm RCMP said.
The business owner later logged in to the fraudulent site and entered a “token” password. Within days, $195,000 had been transferred out of the company’s account. The legitimate bank later alerted the owner to the unauthorized transaction.
Police said the case underscores how easily even established local businesses can be targeted and deceived.
Investigators say scammers often create a sense of urgency and appear credible by imitating trusted institutions, making it difficult for employees to recognize the fraud in the moment.
“If you receive unsolicited phone calls, text messages, or emails from anyone requesting money, personal information, or asking you to sign into any sort of account, it should be treated as extremely suspicious,” Hodges added.
RCMP is urging Salmon Arm residents and business owners to verify any such requests by contacting their financial institution directly using the phone number on the back of their bank card.
Police said taking a moment to slow down and independently confirm information can prevent significant financial losses in the community.
