Police sees spike in 'grandparent' scam reports in Napanee, Loyalist area this week
Ontario Provincial Police are warning the public the so-called "grandparent" scam is circulating in Lennox and Addington County, following multiple reports of attempted scams this week.
In the "grandparent scam", the victim will receive a "frantic phone call" from someone claiming to be a grandchild or loved one, and ask for money.
"The caller will explain that they are involved in some sort of mishap like a car accident or are having trouble returning from a foreign country and need money right away," the OPP said in a statement on Saturday.
"The scammer will often insist that the victim does not tell anyone. In some cases, someone pretending to be a lawyer or police officer may also be part of the phone call."
Police say the victim may be told to withdraw a sum of money and leave it in a mailbox, on a doorstep or share the money through an electronic transfer.
Ontario Provincial Police says people should be aware of these warning signs:
- Urgency - The scammer always makes the request sound very urgent, which may cause the victim not to verify the story.
- Fear - The scammer plays on the victim's emotions by generating a sense of fear.
- Secrecy - The scammer pleads with the victim not to tell anyone about the situation
- Request for Money - Money can be requested by money transfer or the scammer sends someone to your home to pick up the payment
Police recommend that people be careful with what you post online, as suspects can uss details shared on social media platforms and dating sites for information.
Lennox and Addington is located west of Kingston, and includes Greater Napanee, Loyalist and Amherstview.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.