NEWS RELEASE
BARRIE POLICE SERVICE
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As the holidays approach, Barrie police are reminding the public that fraudsters will use any opportunity — even the festive season — to take advantage of others.
At this time of year, grandparents might expect a call from a grandchild they haven’t seen in a while, but don’t let the holiday spirit keep you from recognizing the signs of a scam.
The Barrie police Fraud Unit is seeing a recent increase in reports of grandparent scam calls. In these calls, the fraudster will either claim to be the victim’s grandchild or a court official. The caller then explains that the victim’s grandchild is in trouble and has been arrested and requests a large cash payment to secure bail.
Barrie police remind everyone that if you receive a call like this, the best course of action is to reach out to the family member that you believe is in trouble, their parents, or another trusted person. Fraudsters may tell you that you can’t tell anyone, that you can’t confirm the grandchild’s well-being and that you don’t need to bother following up with police. This is simply not true, and it is a clear sign that the call is a fraud.
Tips for spotting fraud:
Request for cash for bail
In Canada, there is no cash bail system. You will never be required to provide cash, gift cards, e-transfer, or any other form of immediate payment to secure bail.
A sense of urgency
The scam may be encouraging you to take…
