Members of the DRPS Financial Crimes Unit are advising the public of a fraud scheme targeting seniors of Durham Region. Recently, investigators have seen a significant increase in a fraud referred to as the ‘Grandparent Scam’.
On December 9, an elderly resident received a phone call from a male advising that the victim’s grandchild had been in an accident and needed $9,000 to be released from jail. Out of concern for their grandchild, the victim agreed to pay the money and a male visited the victim’s residence to collect it. The victim later learned the grandchild was fine and contacted police. Five other attempts were reported by other victims on the same day, said a police statement.
The Grandparent Scam usually involves a grandparent receiving a phone call from a person claiming to be their grandchild. The caller advises they have been arrested and require cash to be released. The phone is then passed to an individual claiming to be a police officer or bond officer and a demand for cash payment is made to release the grandchild, it said.
The fake police officer instructs the grandparent to withdraw funds and advises that someone can attend the grandparent’s residence to pick up the money, or requests a wire transfer. The demand for cash often becomes increasingly aggressive.
If you receive a call like this, do not wire money or give the caller any information. Hang up and call your grandchild or another family member, then report it to police. Police never contact family members and request cash bail or send someone to a residence to collect bail.
If you are the victim of a fraud you can report it on DRPS website or call 905-579-1520.