The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) is investigating a suspected scam after money was stolen from an account at a local financial institution.
According to the police in a press release on 11 June, the case involved a victim who received a telephone call from someone claiming to be connected to a local financial institution.
During the call, the victim was asked to provide personal banking information. Unauthorised transactions were later discovered on the account.
Police said the incident highlights a common tactic used by fraudsters, who pose as representatives of legitimate organisations in an attempt to obtain access to banking details.
The RCIPS is urging members of the public not to provide bank account information, card numbers, PINs, passwords or other sensitive financial details over the telephone.
The police service also warned customers against responding to emails requesting personal banking information.
Instead, they should contact their bank directly using the institution’s official website or telephone number to verify whether a request is genuine.
Members of the public are also being advised not to click on links contained in text messages from unknown numbers.
The warning extends to requests for banking information made through social media platforms and online messaging applications, which police said should be treated with caution.
Anyone who is uncertain whether a request is legitimate should end the communication and contact their financial institution directly through official channels, according to the RCIPS.
The police service said customers should remain alert to unexpected requests for banking information regardless of whether they arrive by telephone, email, text message or online messaging platform.
Anyone who believes they may have been targeted by a similar scam or who notices suspicious activity on a bank account is being urged to contact their financial institution immediately.
The RCIPS is also asking affected individuals to report the matter to the George Town Police Station by calling (345) 949-4222.
The investigation remains ongoing.
