Detectives from the Niagara Regional Police Central Fraud Unit are reporting an increase in “grandparent scam” complaints in Niagara. Emergency scams, including variations called “grandparent scams”, use urgency and the manipulation of emotions to extort money from victims. In these scams, fraudsters cold call seniors, on landline phones, claiming to be a grandchild, family member, law enforcement officer or lawyer calling on behalf of their loved one. They’ll say that the person’s loved one was involved in an emergency situation, such as a collision, charged by law enforcement, legal peril, being sick or injured, etc. They demand the senior provide payment immediately for supposed bail, legal fees, fines or other amounts “owed” to stop the family member from going to jail or to get them released from custody. This is a scam.
The fraudsters isolate the victims by informing them that there is a court-imposed gag order, and they’re forbidden from discussing the matter. The victims are directed to attend their financial institution to withdraw the requested amount in cash. The fraudsters will then send someone to pick it up from the victim’s home or have the victim send the money via courier services.
If you receive a call like this, do not wire the money or give the caller any further information. Hang up and call your grandchild or the family member back with their real phone number.
Detectives have obtained a voice recording of a real incident that occurred in the Niagara Region.
This voice recording is being released to increase public awareness and reduce future incidents.
Video:
Further information about scams can be found on the NRPS website or at the Canadian Anti-Fraud Website.
Safety tips:
Never confirm any personal information over the phone. Always verify who is calling. Don’t be pressured. Stop. Take some time to process what you have been told, to see if it makes sense. Ask a trusted friend or family member for their opinion. If you’re in doubt, call your local police service.
In an effort to protect vulnerable victims from scams, we would like to ask the public to take a “NRP me plus three” approach to scams. Seek out information from an official source, educate yourself and then educate three persons in your life who may be vulnerable to becoming victims of scam crime. #NRPMePlus3
If you have any information about suspects involved in the grandparent scam you are asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, option 3, 1009076.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
Click here for a Grandparent Scam Handout