Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is warning consumers to avoid disclosing financial information over the phone after several consumers received calls from fraudsters pretending to be insurance industry representatives.

“Consumers today really need to stay vigilant,” said Lindsay Olson, vp, B.C., Manitoba and Saskatchewan, in a release. “These con artists will do whatever they have to do to get your financial information.”

The caller claims to be from the policyholder’s insurance company and demands the immediate payment, by credit card, of an outstanding amount on the client’s premium. The caller threatens to cancel the policy if payment is not received. The calls have taken place across the country, indicating an organized crime ring might be at work.

“The bottom line is that you should never divulge financial information during a phone call you did not initiate, and your insurance company would never ask you to,” said Olson.

Any consumer who thinks they may have been targeted for this form of fraud is asked to write down as much information as possible, including originating phone number, and call the IBC Tips Line at 1-877-IBC-TIPS.

IBC is the national industry association representing Canada’s private home, car and business insurers.

IE