DRYDEN – During the last couple of weeks, the Dryden Police Service has received numerous complaints regarding the “Grandparent or Emergency Scam” from residents of Dryden. The Dryden Police Service wishes to notify the public about this very serious fraud that continues to be an ongoing problem across Canada.
The “Grandparent or Emergency Scam” is a scam where a grandparent receives an unexpected telephone call from a person claiming to be their grandchild or another family relative. The caller will say it is an emergency and ask that you send money immediately.
How do these scammers choose who to contact? They obtain your information from marketing lists, social networking sites, and telephone listings.
Warning Signs – How to Protect Yourself
1. If you get a telephone call from someone claiming to know you and asking for help, check to confirm that it is legitimate before you send any money.
2. Ask questions that would be hard for a stranger to answer.
3. DO NOT send money unless you are certain it’s the real person you know.
4. If you’ve shared banking information with the scammers, contact your financial institution to place alerts on your account.
5. If you have received a fraudulent phone call/email/communication, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 to file a report for statistical purposes
