A 20-year-old Salmon Arm resident is out $11,000 following a phone call from fraudsters claiming to be a bank representative. 

The matter was reported to police on Oct. 7. The victim explained they'd received a phone call from someone claiming to be an RBC representative, who claimed they had noted a suspicious purchase on the victim's account that occurred in Victoria, BC.

The victim eventually agreed to transfer the funds over four transactions from their savings account to an email address provided by the caller, said Salmon Arm RCMP Const. Andrew Hodges in a media release. 

The day after transferring the funds, the victim learned the transactions had been fraudulent, and Hodges said it was unclear if the bank would be able to recover the money. 

Hodges warned receiving unsolicited emails, text messages, or phone calls from anyone requesting money, or the purchase of gift cards, should be treated as highly suspicious.

"Police advise using extreme caution before sending e-transfers to anyone, unless it is money you are willing to lose," said Hodges. "Hanging up, and calling the person or institution using a phone number you have or obtained from credible source (such as a company website or the back of your bank card), using code words, or asking about unique experiences or memories only that family member would know about, are simple ways to attempt to confirm identity."