A series of frauds apparently targeting senior citizens is prompting police to urge older residents to use caution if they're contacted by a person claiming to be a relative in trouble.
The scams are similar and disarming. An elderly person is contacted, usually by phone, by a caller claiming to be a grandchild or relative in trouble.
Sometimes the caller claims he's been picked up by police for drunkenness and needs a sum of money to get out of jail and pay a lawyer. Other scams involve a tale about a traffic accident that also requires a sum of money to rectify.
In some cases, the senior is contacted by a second person claiming to be a lawyer representing the grandchild or relative. The con artists involved in this scam are adept at sowing the seeds of uncertainty and fear in the minds of senior citizens.
The callers create doubt about the safety or well-being of the "grandchild" and urge the senior citizen to act quickly to help them. Rather than see a relative in trouble, some senior citizens agree to help.
The senior citizen is asked to wire a sum of money via an electronic money order service such as MoneyGram or Western Union. Once the money has been wired, it can be picked up anywhere and is virtually untraceable by investigators.
In some cases, the contact is made by e-mail and asks that other family members not be contacted. It's important that you never feel pressured into sending money. Anyone contacted in this way should alert police and other family members to the call or e-mail. Always check out the story of the caller before agreeing to anything.
If a caller claims to be a grandson, check out the whereabouts and well-being of the grandson before sending any money. Remember that con artists are skilled at getting people to reveal personal information. Never give out personal or financial information to anyone unless you are certain about their identity.
The Seniors' Scam is not new. The HRP/RCMP Integrated Financial Crime Section has received several reports in recent months where a person has been contacted by someone claiming to be a relative looking for emergency money.
Fraud investigators urge residents to be cautious when receiving unsolicited calls or e-mails requesting money, even if the caller claims to be a grandchild in trouble.
Remember:
• Verify the identity of the caller.
• Check out the story with another relative, despite pleas not to alert others.
• Do not send money until you're satisfied the story checks out.
• Do not give personal or financial information to someone you're not sure about.
