Alberta RCMP say this month alone, they received five reports of a scam in which victims have lost over $100,000.
The Canada wide “Grandparent” or “Grandchild” scam involves a phone call being placed to the victim claiming their grandchild is in trouble with the courts or law enforcement and a cash payment is needed to help them. According to the Alberta RCMP Federal Serious & Organized Crime Branch, the suspects will often pretend to be police or a judge and caution the victims not to tell anyone about the transaction. A courier will be sent to the house to pick up the cash in person or have it sent in the mail.
With March being Fraud Prevention month, the Alberta RCMP is reminding residents to:
- Never withdraw or send money to anyone you don’t know
- If the person is saying a family member is in trouble, confirm with that family member first prior to taking any action
- If the person claims to be police or a judge, call that police service or court house directly to confirm that situation as police and courts will never demand cash be picked up in person or mailed
- Never give out personal information over the phone or online to someone you don’t know. The police or courts will not ask for personal information over the phone.
They counsel that should anyone think they are a victim to this or any other scam, please call their local RCMP.