By Erika Chorostil

Phone scam commonly targets seniors

Drayton Valley RCMP warning public about the grandparents scam

Mar 25, 2021 | 10:29 AM

Drayton Valley RCMP are warning residents about the grandparents scam.

Grandparent scams commonly target seniors and usually involve a phone call from someone who pretends to be a grandchild, and often the scammers know the grandchild’s name and what the grandchild calls the grandparent (ex. Nona, Grampy).

Acting as your grandchild, the scammer claims to be in trouble and asks for your help. The scammer may try to convince you that your grandchild was in a car accident or has been arrested and needs bail money. They may then ask for the grandparent to wire money, buy gift cards or bitcoin right away, without telling anyone.

To make the story seem more credible, the caller might also put another person on the phone to act as a police officer or lawyer.

Police are warning residents to be vigilant and there are a few simple steps people can take to avoid falling victim to this scam:

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• Resist the urge to act immediately – no matter how dramatic the story is.
• Ask the caller a few personal questions that a real grandchild could answer but a scammer could not.
• After you hang up, verify the story by calling the parents or other relatives of the “grandchild”.
• Never wire money, sent gifts, or bitcoin to someone under uncertain conditions. It is nearly impossible to recover or trace money that has been wired.
• Remember police officers will not request anyone to sent money for anything.

For more information on scams contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online.

If you believe you may be the victim of fraud or have given personal or financial information unwittingly, contact your local police detachment.