RCMP warns retailers of increased credit card scams

CITYnews halifax / By Rachel Morgan

Posted Nov 3, 2024 12:31:10 PM.

Last Updated Nov 3, 2024 12:31:15 PM.

Nova Scotia RCMP’s Commercial Crimes Unit is reminding retailers to take extra caution and be wary of what could be fraudulent payments, especially when receiving payments over the phone.

The unit has named a province-wide trend in which scammers are using stolen or compromised credit cards to pay for high-volume or expensive orders. Recent incidents have included the fraudulent purchase of furniture, ATVs, tires, and other high-value items.

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According to police, many agreements leave the retailer responsible for purchases where a credit card was used without proper authorization, even in the case of fraud. Credit card companies can issue a charge-back dispute against the vendor for the fraudulent transaction, even in cases where the product has already been shipped.

This is a lose-lose situation for retailers who lost both the product and the payment.

More information can be found on the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.