Scotiabank Blames Customer for $18,000 Fraud, Then Reverses Charge After Go Public Investigation

Vancouver Man Wins $18,000 Credit Card Fraud Battle Against Scotiabank Jordon Judge, a Vancouver resident, found himself battling Scotiabank after being held responsible for nearly $18,000 in fraudulent credit card charges. Despite providing evidence that he did not authorize the transactions, the bank initially insisted he was liable, citing a one-time password (OTP) as evidence of his involvement. Judge stated, "I wasn't worried at the time because I knew it wasn't my charge." However, the bank's assertion was challenged by Geoff White, a lawyer and consumer advocate, who criticized Scotiabank's lack of concrete evidence to support their claim. Adding to the controversy, Claudiu Popa, a cybersecurity expert, raised concerns about the security of OTPs, suggesting they are vulnerable to various compromises. The Anglia Ruskin University, the recipient of the fraudulent payment, confirmed that Scotiabank had not contacted them prior to the public disclosure of the issue. Only after Go Public, a Canadian investigative journalism program, intervened did Scotiabank reverse the charges and reimburse Judge for the full amount, including interest. This case highlights the need for financial institutions to thoroughly investigate fraud claims and provide clear evidence before holding customers liable. The incident also underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to protect consumers from fraudulent activities.