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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'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.