Source: OPP
Following a rise in calls regarding “grandparent scams”, the Grey Bruce OPP is sending out another warning to residents to be vigilant.
Police are issuing another warning to make sure that more residents aren’t manipulated into handing over their money to criminals.
This week, Bayshore Broadcasting News received another call from a listener, saying someone posing as their grandson saying they were involved in a car accident, and they almost succeeded in extorting $8,000, if not for some quick thinking.
That listener quickly figured out the real purpose of the call they had received and thought to ask the scammer what colour the car was.
When the scammer answered the wrong colour, the call ended.
Fraudsters isolate victims and play with their emotions to get the money or personal information that they’re after.
Police say that there have also been reports of victims paying with cryptocurrency.
OPP Constable Nick Wilson also says they’re encouraging local businesses to be careful with customers trying to purchase a large lump some of gift cards, or trying to withdraw a large lump some of money because it may be related to a scam.
The OPP has shared these tips to stay safe:
• Don’t give out your personal information (name, address, date of birth, Social Insurance Number, banking credentials).
• If you know a senior or have an elderly family member, please reach out to them and have a conversation on what to do if they get a phone call like this and consider coming up with a code word.
• 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.