Ottawa police warn of ‘grandparent scam’ fraud
The RCMP announced another arrest on Dec. 23 in connection with a series of phone scams that target Canadians. (Photo: Pexels)
Ottawa police are warning of a ‘grandparent scam’ in the area, in which a tearful person claiming to be a family member calls asking for money.
“Everyone thinks they won’t fall for a scam, but these fraudsters are incredibly convincing,” Sgt. Chantal Arsenault, an investigator with the Organized Fraud Unit, said in a news release.
“They are counting on the emotional factor to let down your guard. These aren’t simple tricks people are falling for, they are complex, well-planned scams.”
Police are reminding people to be vigilant when receiving calls for help from supposed family members.
How it works
The scenario for this scam usually involves a tearful phone call from someone claiming to be a family member. “
Their crying will make it difficult to understand what they are saying or to recognize the voice in order to get you to fill in the blanks as to who they are,” Arsenault said in the release.
The caller will say they have been arrested and they urgently need you to send money or gift cards for bail. There is urgency to the situation to prevent you from thinking too much about what they are asking for.
Bail hearings, of course, take place in court.
“If there is a financial penalty involved, it is not paid up front and definitely not by pre-paid gift cards or via transfer to someone’s bank account,” Arsenault said.
What to do if you get a ‘grandparent scam’ call
Police gave the following tips to avoid falling for the scam:
- Never confirm any personal information over the phone.
- Always verify who is calling. If it is a family member as they claim, tell them you will call them back and use the number you have for this person.
- Don’t be pressured. Take some time to process what you have been told, to see if it makes sense. Ask a trusted friend or family member for their opinion.
- If you’re in doubt, call your local police service.
Ottawa Top Stories
-
-
WATCH LIVE
WATCH LIVE | Here's where Prince Charles and Camilla are stopping on their visit to Ottawa
-
-
-
-
-
-
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince Charles receives military award as second day of Canadian royal tour begins
Prince Charles was invested as an extraordinary commander in the Order of Military Merit and laid a wreath at the National War Memorial as he began the second day of his Platinum Jubilee tour of Canada.
'Most horrific': Alberta First Nation investigating after remains of children found
Saddle Lake Cree Nation in eastern Alberta is 'actively researching and investigating' the deaths of at least 200 residential school children who never came home, as remains are being found in unmarked grave sites.
Worry, buyer's remorse high as real estate market slowdown materializes
A wave of buyer's remorse is taking shape in several heated real estate markets, after housing prices started dropping and the number of sales slowed over the last two months.
Alberta's Kenney to learn fate as party announces results of leadership review vote
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is to learn today if he still has enough support from his party to stay on as leader.
BREAKING | Canada's inflation rate hits three-decade high of 6.8 per cent: StatCan
The cost of nearly everything at the grocery store continued to climb higher to push the annual inflation rate up in April.
What's the average price of a home where you live?
While the latest data from the Canadian Real Estate Association shows that the average price of a home in Canada declined month-over-month, Canadians still spent more on home purchases in April 2022 than they did one year before. CTVNews.ca has gathered properties from across the country, listed at what is considered the average price of a home in their respective regions.
Confirmed tornado touched down in southern Sask.: Environment Canada
Environment Canada confirmed an EF-0 tornado touched down near Caron, Sask. on Tuesday night.
Investigators reveal Casey White and Vicky White paid someone US$100 to book their hotel room
Casey White and Vicky White paid a man to help them book an Indiana hotel room during their time on the run after the inmate and corrections officer slipped away from an Alabama jail, setting off an 11-day manhunt.
'Please' before 'cheese': Answers to your royal etiquette questions
Etiquette expert Julie Blais Comeau answers your questions about how to address the royal couple, how to dress if you're meeting them, and whether or not you can ask for a selfie.
Atlantic
-
NEW
NEW | Chantel Moore shot by N.B. police officer in chest, abdomen and leg, inquest hears
The pathologist who conducted an autopsy on Chantel Moore says the 26-year-old Indigenous woman was shot twice in the chest, once in the abdomen and once in her left leg.
-
NEW
NEW | RCMP incident commander says radio service a challenge during N.S. mass shooting
A retired RCMP officer who led much of the response to the 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia testified today that spotty radio service posed challenges as Mounties chased a murderous suspect.
-
Fisheries Department issuing licenses in N.L. without checking boat registration: TSB
An investigation into a fatal 2020 fishing accident in Newfoundland has prompted the Transportation Safety Board to call on the federal Fisheries Department to change the way it issues fishing licences.
Toronto
-
EXCLUSIVE
EXCLUSIVE | Hazel McCallion throws support behind Doug Ford for Ontario premier
Hazel McCallion, one of the longest serving mayors in Canadian history, has officially thrown her support behind Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford for premier ahead of the Ontario election.
-
TTC sets pandemic record for weekly ridership as workers start to return to core
The TTC set a new pandemic record for overall ridership last month as customers returned to the system in droves following the lifting of many public health restrictions.
-
Liberals, NDP snipe at each other as Ontario election campaign reaches halfway mark
Ontario's Liberal leader is calling New Democrat criticisms of his party's candidates 'desperation tactics' that will help the Progressive Conservatives' re-election efforts.
Montreal
-
Legault insists health care won't change under Bill 96, calls out 'disinformation'; experts disagree
Peppered with questions on Bill 96, Legault said there's been 'disinformation' spreading, in his opinion -- and that on one important question, health care, many critics of the bill are wrong. In fact, the bill is confusing on that point and the details still haven't been fully explained.
-
Animal rights activists want to take Longueuil, Quebec to court over deer cull
Animal rights activists have filed a lawsuit against the City of Longueuil and the Quebec government for what they are calling an "unnecessary and cruel slaughter" to control the deer population at Michel-Chartrand Park.
-
Quebec reports 14 more COVID-19 deaths, drop of 35 hospitalizations
Quebec reported a drop of 35 hospitalizations for COVID-19 on Wednesday, along with 14 more deaths from the virus.
Northern Ontario
-
Charges pending in Highway 11 crash, road fully reopened
The driver of a transport is going to be facing charges after the vehicle ended up on its side blocking Highway 11 south of North Bay for most of Tuesday, police say.
-
Crisis resolved as distressed person apprehended in Sudbury
A person in crisis on Ethelbert Street in Sudbury has been apprehended, police said Wednesday afternoon.
-
Sudbury woman wins Miss International Canada title
A northern Ontario woman will represent Canada in an international beauty pageant in Japan later this year after winning second place in the Miss Universe Canada competition on the weekend.
London
-
Early morning shooting being investigated by London police
London, Ont. police are investigating an overnight shooting in the city.
-
Pick-up strikes restaurant near Listowel
It was not a typical morning at Country Sisters Restaurant after a pick-up ended up inside the building.
-
London, Ont. driver could face up to $10,000 fine
An 18-year-old could face up to a $10,000 fine and will be without a vehicle and drivers licence for the next little while.
Winnipeg
-
Cyclist in critical condition after being hit by garbage truck: Winnipeg police
A cyclist was taken to the hospital in critical condition on Wednesday after a crash with a garbage truck at a Winnipeg intersection.
-
'A pretty amazing phenomenon': Giant ice shoves form on Lake Winnipeg
Even though it is spring, some Manitobans were in for a cool surprise over the weekend as ice piled up on the shore of Lake Winnipeg, creating what looked like giant hills of ice.
-
What Manitobans can expect for gas prices this summer
As gas prices reached a new Canadian record once again, an expert said that Manitobans could be spared from the record-high prices – for now.
Kitchener
-
Human remains found in water near Dunnville
Provincial police have launched an investigation after human remains were found in the water in Dunnville, just northwest of Port Maitland.
-
Interim Waterloo regional police chief named
Region of Waterloo Chair Karen Redman says Inspector John Goodman will take over as interim police chief when current chief Bryan Larkin leaves in July.
-
Search continues for missing man in Cambridge, still no cause released in child's death
The search continued Tuesday for a man police say may have information about the death of an 8-year-old boy in Cambridge. Neighbours also shared their concerns about the police response.
Calgary
-
$100K raised for 5 Calgary siblings orphaned in crash
Five Calgary siblings who lost their mother and father in a three-month period are set to receive financial support from an online fundraising campaign.
-
'Completely innocent': Calgary woman killed in crash after road rage shooting was mother of 5
Calgary police say road rage led to a shooting between two vehicles Tuesday night that in turn caused a crash, leaving an innocent woman dead.
-
1 dead in Deer Ridge house fire
A Tuesday night fire in a southeast neighbourhood has left one man dead.
Saskatoon
-
Former Epic Alliance employee says firm 'pushed' for higher appraisals of homes it sold to investors
A former employee of Epic Alliance says the firm sometimes "pushed" for higher appraisals on homes sold to landlords and would rent to tenants who would "destroy" properties
-
Saskatoon community volunteer faces additional sexual assault charge
A man known volunteer in the community is facing another sexual assault charge, according to police.
-
Why Saskatoon's COVID-19 trend could be cause for cautious optimism
With the University of Saskatchewan research team monitoring the city's wastewater for signs of COVID-19 noting an 85 per cent drop in its latest update, experts in the city say the trend is cause for cautious optimism.
Edmonton
-
Alberta's Kenney to learn fate as party announces results of leadership review vote
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is to learn today if he still has enough support from his party to stay on as leader.
-
Flames, Oilers bring potent offences to second-round NHL playoff series
Two potent offences clash in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal starting Wednesday in Calgary.
-
Man charged 6 months after Gateway Boulevard triple stabbing
The man believed to be behind a triple stabbing near 81 Avenue and Gateway Boulevard in November has been arrested and charged, Edmonton police say.
Vancouver
-
These 11 hikes are considered B.C.'s riskiest: AdventureSmart
Some of the most popular hikes in British Columbia are also the riskiest, says a group geared towards outdoor safety.
-
Man pushed to the ground, punched in the face in unprovoked attack at SkyTrain station: police
An unprovoked attack at a SkyTrain station led to a man being arrested in New Westminster last week, local police say.
-
Spring storm brings high winds and heavy rain to Metro Vancouver
Those living in B.C.'s Lower Mainland are being warned to brace for strong winds and heavy rain Wednesday.
Regina
-
Confirmed tornado touched down in southern Sask.: Environment Canada
Environment Canada confirmed an EF-0 tornado touched down near Caron, Sask. on Tuesday night.
-
Verdict expected in sexual assault trial of former Regina doctor
A former doctor on trial for sexual assault is expected to receive a verdict from a Regina judge on Wednesday.
-
Financing for Buffalo Pound plant renewal, Regent Par 3 golf course lease on Regina city council agenda
Financing for the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant, leasing part of the Regent Par 3 golf course and a downtown heritage property are some of the topics on the agenda for Wednesday’s city council meeting.