Phone scammer fails to trick local senior

A woman living in a Peterborough long-term-care home recently took a call from a man claiming to be a police officer, who told her her grandson was in jail and she had to post his $5,000 bail.

The caller told her she could use gift cards to pay the bail.

The woman didn’t fall for it and went to city police headquarters to report what had happened.

Police are sharing this story to remind people that the grandparent scam, also called the emergency scam, is still happening in the Peterborough area.

In this woman’s case, police say, the caller knew her name and her grandson’s name, and was very convincing.

Police say that’s how these scams work, and remind people to be wary of anyone asking for money over the phone, by email or via text message.

Anyone who receives a call like this should obtain the caller’s contact information and call them back once they’ve spoken to someone they trust or their bank. Be particularly wary of the caller suggests using gift cards, police say.

They can also call the police nonemergency line 24 hours a day at 705-876-1122 ext. 274 and speak with an officer, or report a scam attempt online at www.crimereporting.peterboroughpolice.ca/

The Competition Bureau of Canada explains how the scam works:

A grandparent receives a phone call from a scammer claiming to be one of his or her grandchildren.

Callers go on to say that they are in some kind of trouble – arrested, in a car accident, or stranded in another country - and need money immediately.

Two people may call: One pretending to be a relative, the other a police officer or lawyer. The first caller often collects personal information, then passes it along to the second caller.

Scammers may also pretend to be a former neighbour or old friend of the family, but the most common scam involves someone pretending to be a grandchild.

The caller may say they don’t want other family members to know what happened.

The caller asks for money to be sent via wire transfer.

Scammers are counting on the fact that you will want to act quickly to help your loved ones.

Never send money to anyone you don’t know and trust. Verify the person’s identity.

Don’t give out personal information.

Ask questions that only a loved one would be able to answer.

Call the child’s parents or friends to verify the story.

Ask yourself: Does the caller’s story make sense?

Frauds can be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. For more information visit www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/reportincidentsignalerincident/index-eng.htm.