Chatham-Kent residents are being warned be on the look out for calls from people claiming emergencies or urgently asking for money.
According to CK Crime Stoppers, there has been a jump in reports of 'Grandparent Scam' calls in the community.
"We have recently seen an increase in the number of people reporting this kind of scam, and while it is very positive news to hear that people are not falling for it, unfortunately it also means that it is very likely there are more scammers out there trying this tactic," said Erica McIntosh, Crime Stoppers Program Coordinator. "The number one defense against the grandparent scam, and all scams, is education and awareness."
The Grandparent Scam typically involves a caller pretending to be a grandchild, family member, or someone acting on their behalf, such as a police officer or lawyer. The scammer claims the grandchild has been involved in an emergency, and urgently needs money for reasons such as bail, legal fees, or medical expenses. Victims are usually pressured to act quickly and told not to tell other family members, Crime Stoppers said.
The organization adds that the fraudsters could spoof phone numbers, to make calls appear legitimate, and may already have gathered basic personal information from social media or other online sources to make the story sound convincing.
In an effort to avoid scams, Crime Stoppers suggests that families establish a code word that can be used in a real emergency and reaching out directly to family members who claim to be in trouble, using a trusted phone number.
Crime Stoppers also reminds that police and courts do not demand immediate payment in cash, through couriers, or gift cards, and that legitimate officials will not prevent you from verifying information.
"We also want to remind people that we do not recommend they engage with spam callers and scammers, even if you know the call is fake," McIntosh added. "Doing so may only increase your chances of receiving more calls. It is best to hang up immediately and, if possible, block the caller."
Anyone who believes they have been targeted or has information about fraudulent activity is encouraged to report it to police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
