Grandparents warned about rise in scams targeting seniors
Provincial police are warning residents about an increase in reports of grandparent scams following two recent incidents.
In the first incident, police say a grandmother received a call from someone posing as a police officer requesting $8,000 in cash for a bail hearing.
They say she paid the amount in full before realizing it was a scam.
In the second incident, police say a grandfather received a call saying his grandson was in police custody and needed a $10,000 cash payment for his release.
The man spoke to his daughter and confirmed that his grandson was not in custody.
When the daughter called the number back, the person on the other end claimed to be a police officer, but it became apparent that they were not a real officer.
In both cases, the suspects had intimate details about the victims' family members. These details are commonly gathered from social media.
Police say it's important to be careful about what you share online, as scammers can use these details to make their scams more convincing.
The OPP says that often times, the scammer will insist that the victim not tell anyone.
Police say if you receive a call like this, to verify the caller's identity before sending any money.
They suggest asking questions that only your grandchild or loved one would know the answer to, and try to contact them through a different phone number or email address to confirm their story.
The OPP says it's important not to wire money or send prepaid debit cards to someone you don't know.
These methods of payment are difficult to trace and are often used by scammers.
And finally, police say to be wary of urgent requests for money. Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency to pressure you into sending money quickly, without taking the time to verify the story.
If you believe you have been the victim of a grandparent scam, contact your local police department immediately.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.
Crypt near Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner could fetch US$400,000 at auction
A one-space mausoleum crypt in the vicinity of Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner will go on auction Saturday, when it is expected to reach between US$200,000 and $400,000.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Premiers not being truthful about carbon tax, Trudeau says while sparks fly in Ottawa
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Conservative premiers across the country are 'not telling the truth' when it comes to the carbon tax. Trudeau's comments came as fresh sparks were flying in Ottawa at a recalled House of Commons committee.
Far North police 'dispatch' polar bear stalking schoolyard
Police and local hunters in an Ontario Far North First Nation community have “dispatched” a polar that was showing abnormal behaviour and treating the area as a hunting ground.