The Niagara Regional Police Service is issuing a warning to the community regarding an ongoing and concerning trend involving the “Grandparent Scam” – a fraudulent scheme specifically targeting elderly individuals.
In these scams, fraudsters contact seniors by phone, posing as a distressed grandchild, a police officer, or a lawyer. The caller claims that the grandchild has been involved in a serious legal situation – commonly citing offences such as impaired driving, drug possession, or involvement in an incident where a pedestrian was injured.
The scammer then urgently requests money for bail or legal fees, pressuring the victim to act quickly and in secrecy. In some cases, the fraudster even sends a person to the victim’s home to collect the cash directly – a strong indicator of a scam.
Important Information for the Community:
Always verify: If you receive a call claiming your grandchild is in trouble, hang up and contact them directly on a known number or through another trusted family member. No legitimate legal process involves someone picking up cash from your residence. If money is legitimately owed for bail or legal services, the standard procedure is for a family member to attend the courthouse in person, where they will be provided with a receipt for any funds paid. Lawyers or paralegals rarely request e-transfers. If they do, always verify their identity and licensing status through the Law Society of Ontario https://Iso.ca/public-resources/finding-a-lawyer-or-paralegal Police do not recommend sending e-transfers under any circumstances related to bail or legal matters. Always attend the courthouse in person and speak to court staff directly.
What You Can Do:
Share this information with elderly family members, neighbours, and friends. Stay calm and do not give in to high-pressure tactics. Contact the Niagara Regional Police Service if you suspect you have been targeted or have already provided money or personal information.
Together, we can help protect our loved ones and stop fraudsters from preying on our community.
For more information or to report a scam, contact:
Niagara Regional Police 905-688-4111
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