Nipigon Police Warn Scam Ongoing
FROM/DE: Nipigon Detachment DATE: September 3, 2010
GRANDPARENT SCAM ONGOING
(NIPIGON, ON.) –Nipigon Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have received numerous calls from United States residents asking for information about a relative being held in custody. The callers are reporting that they received a call from a relative (most often a grandchild) asking for bail money.
This is known as the “Emergency Scam” or “Grandparent Scam” and police are reminding the public to be aware. Fraudsters contact potential victims posing as a family member or friend in urgent need of cash. Often the scenario involves an accident or arrest with a request for cash to be sent through a money transfer company.
One of the most common methods used in this scam is that a grandparent receives a phone call from a fraudster identifying themselves as a grandchild that is in trouble. Victims of this scam do not verify the story until after the money has been sent. The caller will specifically ask that other relatives, such as mom and dad, are not told about the trouble they are in. Wanting to help their grandchild, the victim sends the money by a money transfer.
The OPP want to remind the public to take the time to verify the caller’s identity and the honesty of the story when money is being requested. Know who you are dealing with. Resist the pressure to “act now” and don’t panic.
Anyone who suspects an attempt at victimization is urged to contact the Canadian Anti Fraud Call Centre (CAFC) at 1-888-495-8501 or report online at www.recol.ca. For more information on this scam and others, visit www.phonebusters.com.
Be wary of unsolicited emails, telephone calls, or mail requesting emergency money transfers. Avoid being a victim of fraud, recognize it, report it, stop it.
