The OPP is reminds the public to be vigilant of scammers and frauds this holiday season.
Emergency scams are one variety that have been cropping up recently, with scammers targeting caring grandparents taking advantage of their emotions to rob them of their money.
The typical scam starts with a grandparent receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be their grandchild.
The "grandchild" goes on to say they're in trouble - common misfortunes include having been in a car accident, getting locked up in jail, or trouble returning home from a foreign country - and they need money immediately.
The caller will ask you questions, getting you to reveal personal information. They'll also swear you to secrecy, saying they are embarrassed and don't want other family members to find out what's happened.
One variation of this scam features two people on the phone, one pretending to be a grandchild and the other a police officer or lawyer.
Tips to protect yourself:
- Take time to verify the story. Scammers are counting on you wanting to quickly help your loved one in an emergency.
- Call the child's parents or friends to find out about their whereabouts.
- Ask the person on the phone questions that only your loved one would be able to answer and verify their identity before taking steps to help.
- Never send money to anyone you don't know and trust.
- Never give out any personal information to the caller.
If you receive any fraudulent communication you should file a report with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) toll-free at 1-888-495-8501, or the anti-fraud centre's website.
You can also contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or your nearest police authority.
For more information on current and ongoing frauds, check out the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre's website or the Competition Bureau's Little Black Book of Scams.
