CK Crime Stoppers is reminding residents to stay alert to the “Grandparent Scam,” a fraud tactic that continues to target older adults and vulnerable community members through urgent and emotional phone calls.
The Grandparent Scam typically involves a caller pretending to be a grandchild, family member, or someone acting on the grandchild’s behalf, such as a police officer or lawyer, Crime Stoppers officials said in a media release. The scammer usually claims the grandchild has been involved in an emergency, often a car accident or some kind of legal trouble, and urgently needs money for bail, legal fees, or medical expenses. Victims are pressured to act quickly and told not to tell other family members.
“We have recently seen an increase in the number of people reporting this kind of scam, and while it is very positive news to hear that people are not falling for it, unfortunately it also means that it is very likely there are more scammers out there trying this tactic,” said Erica McIntosh, Crime Stoppers program co-ordinator, in a media release. “The number one defense against the grandparent scam – and all scams – is education and awareness.”
Fraudsters often rely on fear and urgency to override a person’s judgment.
They may spoof phone numbers to make calls appear legitimate and may already have gathered basic personal information from social media or other online sources to make the story sound convincing. In many cases, victims are instructed to withdraw large sums of cash or arrange courier pick-ups, sometimes within hours of the initial call.
CK Crime Stoppers encourages residents to write things down and verify any urgent request for money.
“If you receive a call claiming a loved one is in trouble, hang up and contact the family member directly using a trusted phone number,” officials said. “You can also reach out to another relative to confirm the situation.”
Police and courts do not demand immediate payment in cash through couriers or gift cards, and legitimate officials will not prevent you from verifying information.
“We also want to remind people that we do not recommend they engage with spam callers and scammers, even if you know the call is fake,” McIntosh said. “Doing so may only increase your chances of receiving more calls. It is best to hang up immediately and, if possible, block the caller.”
Residents are encouraged to speak openly with family members about common scam tactics and to establish a family “code word” that can be used in real emergencies to verify identity.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted or has information about fraudulent activity is encouraged to report it to police. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to CK Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit your tip online at www.ckcrimestoppers.ca.
