Police highlight the red flags of urgent scams: Take time, talk it over

An officers goes over tips on how to avoid scams on her smartphone in this undated image. (File photo)

Take five minutes, and tell two people: That’s the message from police for anyone feeling pressured to send money.

“Scammers rely on urgency to prevent you from thinking clearly,” Barrie police advised in a social media post on Wednesday.

The message comes during International Fraud Week - a global effort to minimize fraud by promoting awareness around popular scams.

One of the most common frauds police warn about is the ‘Grandparent Scam,’ where fraudsters pretend to be a family member in urgent need of money.

Police say they may claim to be in trouble, such as being arrested or stranded while traveling, and ask for immediate financial help.

They note scammers often request payment through untraceable methods like gift cards, bitcoin or wire transfers.

Other popular scams include:

• Romance scams: Scammers build fake relationships online, then ask for money claiming emergencies or travel expenses.
• Lottery or prize scams: Victims are told they’ve won a prize but must pay fees upfront to claim it.
• Tech support scams: Fraudsters pose as technical support agents and pressure victims to pay for fake computer repairs or software.

Police stressed that a quick conversation with trusted friends or family could prevent costly mistakes. "Real opportunities don’t require rushed decisions."