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People in Saskatchewan are still falling victim to the grandparent scam.
Saskatchewan RCMP are reporting various incidents where people in the province responded to scammers unknowingly over the past few weeks.
Read more:
- Police warn North Battleford and Moose Jaw residents to be wary of ‘grandparent’ scams
- ‘Grandparent scam’ returns again to Saskatoon, police say
- Police warn public after $70K lost in ‘grandparent scam’ surge
In a release, Saskatchewan RCMP said a victim in the Battleford area this month paid cash to a scammer using a specific name and passcode.
“In many recent reports, scammers have asked the victims to take cash to a crypto ATM and use a provided barcode to send the money to a crypto wallet,” RCMP noted. “Scammers continue to use legitimate lawyer’s names in correspondence.”
Mounties in White Butte received two distinct reports from residents this week in the Pilot Butte area who had been targeted by the scam. In both, the scammer wanted to arrange in-person meetings with victims.
“Thankfully this was reported to police,” the RCMP stated in its release.
Police are asking people in the province to protect themselves and those they love. They recommended anyone receiving a call that sounds like it should be a scam should immediately stop, resisting the sense of urgency being conveyed by the scammer on the other end of the line, and to not be afraid to say “no” to the caller.
“If something feels off or you feel uneasy, call your loved one directly to verify if the situation is real – don’t rely on the scammer’s word,” police urged, adding that people should not send cash to strangers.
If someone believes they are a victim of a scam, police recommend they call their banking institution and police immediately.
What is a grandparent scam?
The scheme, also known as the “family scam”, involves a call to a usually elderly victim.
The scammer will pretend to be a relative who is in trouble and in urgent need of financial help. The scammers will occasionally imitate a police officer, doctor or lawyer to help drive home a false sense of urgency before asking for payment, often in the form of untraceable cryptocurrency or gift cards.
“Scammers use emotional manipulation,” RCMP said. “They call and claim to be family members in need of immediate money for bail or ticket expenses. The scammer can send someone to pick up payment in person. They may ask you to pay cash into a Crypto ATM, or online via e-transfer.”
Those operating a scam can use publicly-available details, such as those shared on social media, dating apps and elsewhere online to get information about potential victims and their loved ones. Police warn artificial intelligence and stolen social media photos are pieces of information scammers might use.
Anyone can fall victim to a grandparent scam, despite its name.
Police clarified some facts about bail, given that this is a common premise used in grandparent scams to create a false sense of urgency for the victim.
Police, lawyers, judges and jails do not call people for money, police stated, and explained that bail and fines are usually paid at the courthouse.
Further, court-appointed couriers do not exist.
“If someone comes to your home to pick up payment – it is a SCAM,” the RCMP release said.
Anyone who has lost money or knows someone who has is asked to call 310-RCMP or 911, in emergency situations.
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