A major credit card scam that goes after users' reward points has been uncovered by Vancouver police.
Daniel Adam Suchecki, 34, and Christa Dawn Hucal, 25, the alleged ring leaders, have been charged with multiple offences including forgery, possession of stolen mail, and impersonation, CBC News reports.
The case has uncovered a new — and easy to overlook — form of identity theft: targeting customers' RBC Royal Bank Visa statements and using their reward points to make purchases.
Inside the couple's Surrey apartment, police found about 200 credit cards and IDs, $20,000 in gift cards, stolen mail, and a credit card writer, according to CTV News.
“It wasn’t until people started looking into their RBC rewards accounts or statements that they began to notice that these points were severely diminished,” Fincham told the news outlet.
Police also found three stolen cars, plus one car bought with a stolen identity, on the property, The Vancouver Sun reports.
While RBC cards were a favourite because their points cash-in program doesn't require a PIN, other credit card companies were also targeted, Fincham told the newspaper.
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How to Protect Yourself From Fraud
(01 of10)
Open Image ModalErase all personal information before disposing or selling electronic equipment. This includes computers, cell phones, CDs, DVDs, diskettes and memory sticks. (credit:Shutterstock)
(02 of10)
Open Image ModalShred or destroy pre-approved credit card applications, credit card receipts, bills and related information when you no longer need them. (credit:Shutterstock)
(03 of10)
Open Image ModalNever send confidential personal or financial information by email. (credit:Shutterstock)
(04 of10)
Open Image ModalAsk yourself if you really need all the personal identity documents you keep in your wallet or purse. Remove those you don't need and keep them in a secure place instead. (credit:Shutterstock)
(05 of10)
Open Image ModalPeriodically check your credit reports, bank and credit card statements and report any irregularities to your financial institutions and the credit bureaus. (credit:Shutterstock)
(06 of10)
Open Image ModalDuring debit or credit transactions, swipe the card yourself rather than allowing the cashier to do it for you. (credit:Shutterstock)
(07 of10)
Open Image ModalMemorize all the personal identification numbers for your payment cards. Never write them on the cards. (credit:Shutterstock)
(08 of10)
Open Image ModalNever use a public access computer or wireless network when banking or shopping online. (credit:Shutterstock)
(09 of10)
Open Image ModalAvoid mail or telephone solicitations disguised as promotions or surveys offering instant prizes or awards. These scams are designed for the purpose of obtaining your personal details including credit card numbers. (credit:Shutterstock)
(10 of10)
Open Image ModalDon't reply to spam emails, even to unsubscribe, and do not click on any links listed in a spam email. Many of these are phishing scams designed to access the personal information stored on your computer. (credit:Shutterstock)