The scam that targets seniors for bail money for an alleged relative in trouble is back in the ‘Wack.
Two cases in the Chilliwack area had a scammer posing as an RCMP officer telling the senior that a loved one was in legal trouble, and cash was needed to bail them out, according to Chilliwack RCMP.
Police issued a public warning last week since they’ve seen a recent resurgence of this type of fraud, known as the grandparent or emergency scam.
“This is a recurring scam and it is important for everyone to discuss these types of scams with their loved ones, especially seniors who are far too often the target of these types of frauds,” said Cpl. Carmen Kiener, spokesperson for the Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment.
In both of the recent cases, the scammer went to the home of the victim to pickup the cash.
But seniors have to be reminded that Canadian government, police, or agencies related to the court system, will never phone individuals to demand cash or any other form of payment.
“If this request is demanded of you, know it is likely a scam. If you are ever unsure whether the person you are speaking with on the phone is a real police officer, hang up and call your local police detachment directly,” the officer said.
Attempted scams where no money was lost can be reported to the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
“No one has been arrested in these cases, although the investigation is ongoing,” Kiener said.
Go to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s website Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca) for more.
To report an incident like a grandparent scam call the Chilliwack RCMP non-emergency line at 604-792-4611 (or your local detachment).