Police warn about grandparent scam after recent attempt to defraud a local senior reported

Lethbridge Police are advising the public of the presence of fraudsters in the community using the grandparent scam to prey on seniors. 

The grandparent, or emergency scam, involves criminals typically targeting seniors by calling and pretending to be a family member – often a grandchild – claiming they are in some kind of trouble and need money immediately. The caller may also pretend to be a police officer or lawyer acting on the grandchild’s behalf. They will ask for cash and may want to send an associate, posing as a police officer, bail bondsman or some other official, to collect the money. They may also seek payment in the form of gift cards, bitcoin, e-transfer or wire transfer. Victims are then given a variety of reasons why they need to keep quiet and not speak to anyone about the situation. 

Earlier today, an elderly woman received a phone call from a male claiming to be her son. The man stated that he required assistance immediately because he had been in an accident and had broken his nose, thus explaining the change in his voice. The man then swore the elderly woman to secrecy and instructed her to go to the bank, withdraw $8500 and return home where someone would attend her residence to pick up the money. Fortunately, a caring family member interceded and brought the elderly woman to the police station to report the scam before any funds were lost.

Anyone who receives an unsolicited call or any other form of contact from someone claiming to be their grandchild, another relative or someone acting on the family member’s behalf, is advised to disconnect the call. Be especially wary if the individual is asking for the transaction to be kept secret.  Do not provide any personal information and do not provide any cash or other forms of payment. 

To further ensure that no others are victimized, LPS is encouraging residents to talk with their older relatives about what to do if they receive a scam call: 

• Always verify a caller’s identity and the legitimacy of their story. Call the grandchild directly and if they can’t be reached, contact their parents, siblings or another relative who can help verify the story
• If a caller claims to be a police officer, lawyer, judge or other official call the police station or courthouse directly to confirm their identity and the legitimacy of the call
• Bail is always paid in person at the police station, courthouse or correctional centre and receipt of payment is provided. Police and court officials will never attend someone’s home to pick-up cash
• Do not use any phone numbers or other contact details provided by the caller to try and verify information
• Do not provide money, gift cards, bitcoin or any other form of payment to someone you do not know
• Never disclose any personal information over the phone to someone you don’t know 

Anyone who has been victimized in a grandparent scam and not yet reported it, is asked to call police at 403-328-4444.