North Bay pharmacist warns others after fraudsters swapped his bank card, stole $1,500

It only took minutes for North Bay pharmacist Brian Chute to be out $1,500 after fraudsters deceptively swapped his bank card with another.

"I hope the police can catch them. They can prevent it in the future," he said.

It only took minutes for North Bay pharmacist Brian Chute to be out $1,500 after fraudsters deceptively swapped his bank card with another. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)

Chute said he drove to RBC outside terminal on Stockdale Road around 5:45 p.m. on Oct.11 when he noticed someone in the vehicle jammed the machine.

So he had no choice but to walk into the bank where he tried to let a woman use the ATM first.

She insisted he go ahead of her. Chute was then told by a man there was a problem with the machine. That’s when the man reached for his card.

"He quickly grabbed the card out of my hand," Chute said.

"He said 'You have to do this.'"

Chute motioned how the man told him to use the "broken machine."

When he grabbed the card, the suspect used sleight of hand, replacing Chute's bank card with another and giving it to him to use.

Chute said he was never without a card.

Unaware, he approached the machine, inserted the card and entered his PIN. At that point, he believes the woman peered over his shoulder to see the PIN numbers as he typed.

When he couldn’t access his account, it dawned on him that something was wrong. He looked down and noticed he had the wrong card.

The fraud took place at the RBC on Stockdale Road in North Bay around 5:45 p.m. on Oct. 11. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)

By then, the suspects were long gone. He quickly rushed to a teller to cancel his card, but $1,500 was already withdrawn.

"These people try to hone in on catching people by surprise," said North Bay police Const. Merv Shantz.

"When you have your debit card in your hand, think twice about that."

Officers are on the hunt for three suspects. Through communication with other police agencies, police believe the trio has been involved in similar scams throughout Ontario.

Criminals move from town to town

"Oftentimes these types of criminal groups move from town to town and once we get the information and start to look into it, they’re already off to the next town," Shantz said.

Thankfully, Chute was reimbursed by RBC. He now wants others to be aware of this type of bank card scam.

He wonders if security stationed at the bank might deter scammers in the future.

"Be aware. Hang on to their bank card. Be aware of their surroundings," he warned.

Police released photos from security footage of three suspects allegedly involved in the incident.

The male suspect was of slim build, medium height and was wearing a red baseball hat, a white mask, jeans, white running shoes and a green jacket.

The first female suspect is of slim build, medium height with shoulder-length dark hair. She was wearing a blue jacket, a mask, jeans and white running shoes.

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The second female suspect also had a slim build, medium height, a black jacket, light blue plants, white and black running shoes and was carrying a large white purse.

Anyone with information that can help identify the suspects in this incident -- including dash cam or security camera footage from the area around the time of the incident -- is asked to call police at 705-497-5555 and press 5 to speak with an officer.

To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

Police add that if you are a victim of a scam, you should contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.