The Winnipeg Police Service continues to receive reports of local grandparent scams and has helpful tips for residents on how to avoid being scammed.
“The Financial Crimes Unit notes an increase in reports of the ‘grandparent scam’ in Winnipeg again. This scam tricks unsuspecting individuals into sending money under false pretenses,” Constable Claude Chancy, public information officer with the Winnipeg Police Service says.
“It typically involves an unknown person targeting and then contacting a senior by phone during the day, usually from a random or unknown phone number. They pose as a grandchild, or another family member, in distress who has been arrested and needs bail money immediately,” Chancy says.
“The fraudsters then send couriers to collect the money in person from the victim’s residence. In some instances, ride-share drivers are used to pick up the money,” he says.
Chancy reminds residents, “You will never get a request from police asking for funds. We will never come to your home and request funds and we will never ask you to come to a point of meeting to drop off funds.”
He says that the biggest tip to do when a call is received is “Reject the call or simply hang up. If you don’t recognize the phone number calling you then let it go to voicemail. If someone calls you into taking quick action, tell them you will call them back and hang up then call a trusted family member.”
Chancy says, “Rest assured, police will never ask for that money again and we will investigate these occurrences as they come along.”
If you believe you have been victimized by a grandparent scam, contact the Winnipeg Police Service non-emergency line at 204-986-6222 to make your report, or submit it online at https://www.winnipeg.ca/police/services/report-crime.