The South Simcoe Police Service is issuing another reminder for residents to be wary of the grandparent scam.
Police say the latest victim is a 73-year-old Innisfil woman who lost "several thousand dollars."
The victim received a call on Saturday from someone pretending to be her grandson, saying he needed bail money after being arrested in Toronto.
"During the call, the line was passed to another male claiming to be a police officer," officials wrote in a release. "The fake officer told the victim there was a gag order in effect and she was not to tell anyone about the call or her grandson would be in more trouble. The victim was instructed to withdraw cash and a male suspect attended her house to pick it up."
The investigation is ongoing.
"The grandparent scam preys on the victim's fear and concern for a loved one," police say.
The following are prevention tips from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre:
- If you receive a phone call claiming to be from a family member in an emergency situation, hang up the phone and contact them directly using a phone number you already have – not one provided by the suspected fraudster
- If the caller claims to be a law enforcement official, hang up and call your local police directly, using a phone number from a reputable source – not one provided by the suspected fraudster
- Be suspicious of telephone calls that require you to immediately act and request money for a family member in distress
- Listen to that inner voice that is screaming at you “This doesn’t sound right”
- It is important to know the Canadian Criminal Justice System does not allow for someone to be bailed out of jail with cash or cryptocurrency
- Be careful what you post online
- Scammers can get details that you shared on social media platforms and dating sites to target you or get names and details about your loved ones
- Don’t trust caller ID names and numbers.
- Scammers use technology to disguise the actual number they are calling from and can make it appear as a trusted phone number, also known as spoofing
Fraud attempts can be reported to the police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Banner image - file photo - Barrie 360
