Rise in Phone Call Scam Attempts

The Grandparent Scam is a type of phone scam where a caller impersonates a family member in distress or an authority figure, such as a police officer, calling on behalf of a loved on and requesting money immediately. It is also known as the Emergency Scam. 

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre's annual report for 2024:

• The Emergency (Grandparent) Scam is among the top 10 most reported scams in Canada.
• Nearly half (44.6 %) of individuals targeted by the Grandparent Scam fall victim to it.
• Adults over the age of 50 lose more money on average per scam.

Learn to Recognize this Scam

The following are typical tactics fraudsters will use when attempting the Grandparent Scam.

1. A caller will demand immediate payment for bail, or fines to avoid going to jail.
   Don't be fooled! Courts require you to be present in court to proceed with any action. You will not be required to make a payment based on a phone call.
2. A caller will claim to be a lawyer, police or family member in an emergency situation demanding funds.
   Technology may allow a stranger to sound like someone you know. Validate a friend or family member's identity by hanging up and contacting them via a known channel, such as by calling their phone. For authority figures, hang up and look up the public phone number to call them back and validate their claims.
3. A caller will request cash and send couriers for pick up, or demand the victim send cash by courier services or via cryptocurrency.
   Never send funds without verifying the identify of a person or business, and validating their claims.

If you recognize any of these tactics, or are unsure, never hesitate to contact your local police station or Westmount Public Safety. When in doubt, just hang up and get a second opinion!