Halifax woman loses $1,200 after sophisticated phone scam following wallet theft

Candida Hadley was enjoying tea with a friend at a north-end Halifax café when she realized her wallet had been stolen. As she prepared to freeze her cards, a phone call claiming to be from the Royal Bank warned her of suspicious activity and prompted her to reveal her PIN. Within minutes, the scammers accessed her account, withdrawing $500 in cash and completing a $700 purchase at Shoppers Drug Mart, while a $3,000 attempt at Best Buy was blocked.

An additional automated call suggested a purchase of a MacBook Pro, but the number was later disconnected. Hadley says she cannot pinpoint how the thieves obtained her phone number and notes odd behavior from another patron that day. Halifax Regional Police confirmed a report was filed on Aug. 13 and the investigation continues, warning the public not to share personal details over the phone.