Winnipeg police warn of 'new twist' on scam targeting grandparents
A new twist on a scam targeting grandparents has Winnipeg police warning the public to be alert and trust their gut when answering the phone.
It starts with a panicked call to an elderly person. The voice on the line claims to be a grandchild or a family member who has landed in serious legal trouble, is in jail and needs money immediately. They may be crying, pleading for help, demanding that you send bail money, but the voice is not who you think it is – police warn it's a scammer.
Winnipeg police call it the 'Grandparent Scam'.
"This is a scam that just keeps rearing its head. It keeps coming back," said Const. Jay Murray, a public information officer with the Winnipeg Police Service. "Our investigators have noticed that there's been an increase recently."
A NEW TWIST
Murray said there is a 'new twist' to the scam – the scammers will use in-person couriers to physically get the money from the elderly victims.
He said the victims are told to go to the bank and withdraw money from their bank, telling the bank it is for home repairs, and then return home.
"Under the guise of a bail bonds person or something to that effect, a person will physically come to the house and pick up that cash," he said. "Previously, it was a lot different. It was more remote. But now having people physically come to the house is something new."
Murray said typically the initial caller operates outside the province, or even the continent – but this latest spin on the scam has given police an investigative opportunity.
"Sometimes these individuals have cameras on their house or a doorbell camera. So having people come to the house certainly changes the way we investigate this and it can be beneficial in some ways," he said. "We have made arrests of couriers in the past, we continue to investigate it."
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
Murray said investigators have noted more and more people are catching on about these scams and are reporting them. However police are concerned there are people who don't report the scam if they have fallen victim to it.
He said the fact that scammers are still hitting Winnipeg residents means the scam is still working.
"One of the best ways that we can combat this scam is just awareness," he said.
Police said officers and the courts will never send someone to your house to collect money, and will never tell you to lie to your bank about withdrawing money.
"We really ask people just to trust their guts when it comes to answering calls," Murray said. "Take a moment and really just assess the situation. There's nothing wrong with hanging up and calling somebody who's maybe related to that family member."
Police are urging people to share the information with elderly relatives so they are aware and can be prepared if they get this kind of call.
Anyone who receives a 'Grandparent Scam' call should contact police immediately.
More information about the scam can be found online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.