OPP issue new warning about grandparent scam in Ottawa Valley

An Ontario Provincial Police crest is pictured on an officer's uniform. (Supplied)

Ontario Provincial Police are warning residents of new reports of grandparent scams surfacing in the Ottawa Valley, after two seniors were targeted last week.

In one case, a senior from Pembroke lost $800 after receiving a phone call about a grandchild in legal trouble last Wednesday, the OPP said.

A senior from Petawawa was nearly scammed out of $20,000 last Friday after receiving a similar phone call, but police said an acquaintance recognized the scam and helped prevent the individual from losing their money.

This scam often involves fraudsters targeting seniors, alleging to be a younger family member in need of money immediately, usually for some kind of legal reason. The caller will create a sense of urgency and also demand secrecy from the target in an attempt to prevent them from seeking outside help, potentially exposing the scam.

Money is obtained either by e-transfers or sometimes by accomplices coming to the home, posing as “couriers” to collect cash in person. The scammer may also request more sensitive banking information to gain further access to accounts.

Tips to prevent scams

• Never trust caller ID. It can be spoofed to look like police, a courthouse, a bank, or a family member.
• Use a “family safe word.” A simple word or phrase only your family would know. If they can’t answer it, end the call.
• Police and courts won’t demand payment by gift cards, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, wire transfers, or courier pickups. Any of those are a scam.
• Don’t share personal info. No SIN, banking details, passwords, addresses, travel plans, or “confirming” information.
• Slow down. Scammers rely on panic and urgency.

The OPP says if a scam artist contacts you or if you have been defrauded contact your local police service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). You can file a report with the CAFC by calling 1-888-495-8501 (Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or by using their online reporting tool at www.antifraudcentre.ca.