Police: Assume Messages Or Calls For Your Bank Information Is A Scam

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – As holiday spending surges, so does financial fraud. Police say scammers are more active than ever and too many Bahamians are falling for new digital traps.

Our News anchor Kendeno Knowles shares what you need to know.

With money moving faster this holiday season, police say fraudsters are moving even faster.


ASP Donald Rolle from the Financial Crimes Branch says the biggest new threat is “smishing” – text messages that look like they’re from your bank.

“From all indications, the bank or financial institutions do not try to engage persons to get personal information over the phone or through text. If you become a victim of this… directly in the bank… or go to the bank and speak with an individual.” – ASP Rolle

Rolle says the scammers create fake websites, tricking you into entering passwords and personal details.

Others call you directly, pretending to be bank officials. And this year, ASP Rolle says there’s a new layer.


Fraudsters are using innocent people’s bank accounts to move stolen money, turning victims into suspects.

“In most instances, they would transfer monies from the victim’s account to other individuals account, and different reasons are given to that individual as to why they need to use the account. But that is actually stolen funds from the original victim. So we have a number of persons who have found themselves on the other side of the law by receiving funds on behalf of other individuals.” – ASP Rolle

Rolle says it doesn’t matter if you only helped for “just 50 dollars”, you could still face money laundering and receiving charges.

Police are also warning about counterfeit cash.


Inspector Gerard Culmer says businesses should upgrade their detection tools.

“I do want to encourage and exaggerate the importance of having a counterfeit machine… even the pens… you could actually write on it and a particular color will come back if it’s fake or if it’s real.” – Insp. Culmer

And with 6 new financial-crime PSAs coming out, Chief Superintendent Sheria King says the goal is simple, keep the public ahead of the fraudsters.

“This is something that we will continuously make the public aware of, remind the public of, within our communities.” – Ch. Supt. King

Police say if any message or call asks for your bank information, assume it’s a scam.