Five more incidents of suspected debit-card fraud were reported in the Whistler area in the past week as police continued their investigation into the rash of recent incidents.

The five cases recorded between April 29 and May 4 brought to nine the number of incidents reported to Whistler RCMP in the past two weeks. RCMP Staff Sgt. Steve LeClair on Tuesday (May 5) said local police are working with police agencies in the Lower Mainland as part of their investigation.

“We’ve obtained surveillance videos of cards used in the Lower Mainland in our search for potential suspects,” he said. “We’re still examining bank records to determine whether there’s any commonality in these incidents.”

In the past week, police have received reports of suspected incidents of debit-card fraud on April 29, April 30, May 1, May 2 and May 4.

In each case, police suspect that the debit card in question was “skimmed” — i.e. the card and personal identification numbers were obtained illegally and that information was then used to make copies of the cards.

In the April 30 incident, the victim reported that she hadn’t traveled to the Lower Mainland in the past two months, but that a number of unauthorized withdrawals had been made at locations there, “so it’s felt that the card was skimmed somewhere in Whistler,” LeClair said.

The May 1 incident involved $500 worth of unauthorized withdrawals from a business-related debit card.

In the May 2 incident, the victim reported that he had his card with him in Whistler when unauthorized withdrawals were made in the Lower Mainland.

Police are urging debit-card users to keep a close watch on their accounts and to report suspicious activity to police. If you have information about the above-mentioned incidents, or suspect you’ve been victimized, please call Whistler RCMP at (604) 932-3044.