An urgent call about a loved one might not be all it seems.
Police across the region are warning that seniors continue to be targeted by “grandparent scams,” with $5.4 million lost to them in Ontario just last year.
The OPP says fraudsters will cold call seniors pretending to be a young relative or someone calling on their behalf and claim that money is needed after an emergency like a collision, legal trouble, or illness.
The fraudster will then ask the victim to withdraw money from the bank and leave it for them to pick up or have it sent by courier. In some cases, the scammer will even get their target to send money over e-transfer or cryptocurrency.
If you have a elderly family member, speak with them on what to do when they get a call like this and consider coming up with a code word for emergencies. Remember: it something doesn’t feel right about the situation, it probably isnt.
Local police say to report any fraud, even if no money was lost, to them or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
(written by Kasey Egan)
