Older residents are being warned to be careful if they get a phone call from someone claiming to be a relative that needs money urgently.
Officers from the Grenville County OPP detachment says reports of “grandparent scams” targeting local seniors have increased since the start of November, including multiple reports over the last week.
“Grandparent scams” are a type of fraud where scammers call older people claiming to be a grandchild or other relative.
Police say signs to watch out for include callers saying they need money urgently, playing on victims’ emotions by acting afraid, and telling victims to keep their call a secret.
If you think you’ve been targeted by a scam like this, officers say you can report the incident to the OPP or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
We’ve arranged an interview with OPP Provincial Constable Dave Holmes to learn more about fraud in our area and ways for residents to protect themselves.
