The North Bay Police Service is warning residents to be aware of scammers claiming to be the grandchildren of vulnerable, elderly individuals in desperate need of money
The North Bay Police Service is warning residents to be aware of scammers claiming to be the grandchildren of vulnerable, elderly individuals in desperate need of money.
The North Bay Police Service and police services across Ontario have received reports of these scams. The public should be aware of the methods scammers are using to trick vulnerable individuals into sending them large sums of money.
Scammers are calling elderly individuals, claiming to be their grandchild or calling about their grandchild. The scammers claim that they are in need of large sums of money, often several thousand dollars. While the reasons they claim to need the money vary, the scammers often claim the grandchild was arrested and requires the money for bail.
The scammers ask the victim not to inform the parents of the “grandchild” because they will get in trouble or because of a fraudulent “gag order” placed on them by police.
The scammers then retrieve the money by sending a courier service to the victim’s residence or attending the residence themselves, posing as a courier.
The Competition Bureau of Canada provides ways to protect yourself against these types of “Emergency” scams:
- Take time to verify the story. Scammers are counting on you wanting to quickly help your…
