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OPP constable talks “grandparent scams” targeting locals

Officer Annie Collins says the Grenville County OPP detachment has been faced with a “rash” of scams targeting seniors in our community.

“Generally, it’s people preying on older individuals,” she says. “Mainly people with grandkids and things like that, and basically reaching out to them and asking for help, for their family member or their grandson or daughter, and just asking for them to help.”

According to Collins, the scammers have targeted seven people in the past two days.

“They say they need money, they’ve been in an accident, they need, like, just under $10,000,” she says. “You know, just trying to get anything out of them.”

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Collins says scammers like this typically pick their targets by looking at social media feeds, and they pressure their victims to give the money over as quickly as possible.

If you suspect you’ve received a scam call like this, Collins says you should get in touch with the rest of your family.

“Pause before you do anything. Speak to other family members, if you’re reaching out to other parents of someone that [the scammers] say needs help, speak to them. Ask questions that only they would know the answer to.”

She’s also urging you to avoid giving any money to people you don’t know and trust, and to make sure you don’t give any personal information to a scammer. 

If you’re concerned about a suspicious call, Collins says you can call the OPP non-emergency line to talk about it with an officer.

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