Clearview woman loses $22,000 in 'The Grandparent Scam'
Provincial police say scammers are targetting seniors for thousands of dollars in what the OPP calls 'The Grandparent Scam.'
Huronia West OPP says one victim in Clearview Township was conned out of $22,000 when a call from someone claiming to be an RCMP officer advised her that her grandson was under arrest and needed money to be released.
The woman immediately agreed to do whatever she could to help her beloved grandson.
At first, police say the caller said it would take $10,000 to secure the man's release. The next morning, the caller informed the woman another $12,000 was needed for her grandson's freedom.
Police say that arrangements were made for someone to pick up the money at the woman's address in both instances.
According to provincial police, officers will never ask someone for money over the phone to have someone released from custody.
They say it's best to hang up on the caller and contact the police to report the situation.
Related Article: Police warn of 'Grandparent Scheme' targeting elderly women in Ontario
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FRAUD
Financial crimes involving seniors are especially cruel because they don't have the means to make up for their losses. Police say it's nearly impossible to recover money in these cases.
Here are some tips to protect yourself:
- Ask questions. Scammers rely on a quick response to having someone involved in an emergency and wouldn't typically know personal information.
- Call someone. Take the time to double-check the information by calling the parents, friends and family. Scammers often try to isolate their victim by saying action needs to happen immediately. Note this as a red flag.
- Never send money. Don't send money, gift cards, bitcoins, or provide credit card information to anyone you don't know and trust.
- Never provide personal information. Don't offer any information about yourself, including your address, banking information or family details.
- If in doubt, hang up. Call the organization through a publicly listed number to verify the request or contact your local police service for support.
Report fraud online or by calling 1-888-495-8501.
The investigation is ongoing in this case. Police ask anyone with information to contact the Huronia West OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.