The so-called “Grandparent Scam” is active in South Huron.
Ontario Provincial Police say an area resident lost $40,000 when a fraudster claiming to be with the RCMP convinced the person their grandson was under arrest in connection with a drugs and weapons investigation.
Twice the scammer requested a money transfer to cover the cost of bail and the grandson’s release from jail. Money was sent. When the thief called a third time, the victim contacted the police.
According to data provided by the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre – last year $530 million dollars from Canadians through a variety of scams.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says last year fraud reports totaled a staggering $530 million in victim losses.
There are ways to protect yourself.
Don’t give out your personal information (name, address, DOB, SIN, banking credentials).
Don’t accept friend requests from people you do not know.
Don’t invest your money in platforms provided by people you don’t know.
Be careful who you share images with. Suspects will often use explicit pictures to extort victims into sending more money.
Protect your online accounts.
Never send money to someone you haven’t met.
Don’t respond to text messages from phone numbers you do not recognize.
Learn more tips and tricks for protecting yourself.
If you fall victim to fraud or know someone who has, contact your local police service to report the crime and report it to the CAFC at 1-888-495-8501 or online on the Fraud Reporting System (FRS), even if a financial loss did not occur.
https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm
Written By: J. Brenner
