Help, grandma! I'm in big trouble.
Last week, colleague Jason Buckland highlighted several holiday scams making the rounds. Now police are warning of a particularly mean spirited racket targeting seniors across the country.
The scam involves older people getting calls from a supposed grandchild, usually from outside the city or province, saying he or she’s been in an accident or is in trouble with the police and needs bail money – which grandma is asked to wire as quickly as possible.
The con artists posing as the grandchild usually say something like, “It’s me, your favourite grandchild,” and let trusting grandparents fill in the blanks.
The caller usually implores the victims not to contact mom and dad, police say, instead giving them a bogus number to call for verification, supposedly either a lawyer's office or the desk sergeant at the police station. The cheat at the other end then closes the deal, confirming the arrest and offering instructions for transferring the money.
Across Canada, 356 complaints have been made to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre so far this year, with 108 people reporting they were victimized and lost more than $370,000.
To guard against this type of scam, Phone Busters recommends:
- Getting the name of the apparent lawyer and contacting them directly using the numbers listed in the phone book or on a web page, not the number provided by the caller.
- Contacting area police and, if you have call display, writing down the caller's number and providing it when reporting the incident.
- Contacting the family members directly themselves for verification that the "grandchild" is in the reported area to begin with.
Do you know any seniors who've been hoodwinked this way?
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Posted by: Editha Rimando | Dec 14, 2021 2:19:31 PM
I consider myself generous. When someone, anyone, needs help and support, I am more than willing to give. But before I give anything, I have to make sure that this person REALLY is genuine. I have heard of lots of people, especially the elderly ( I am a senior myself. ) who have been scammed and cheated. We need to be more defensive and careful than sorry later. I signed up with the National Call List Registry to censor unwanted calls. I avoid phone or door-to-door solicitations.
Posted by: Deb | Dec 14, 2021 11:43:55 PM
This very scam happened to my folks last month bilked them forn 9100.00
They never told a soul and when the grandsoninlaw called them for something they then realized theyd bee n hoodwinked cuase the grandson-inlaw was not out of town let alone in trouble. Very embarassing for my parents however seeing as they are 85 and 89 and the first time theyd been bilked for anything theyve now gotten over it. good thing they were in the finacial postion to affford being bilked. I called my dad when i heard about theyre ordeal and asked him if hed like to make a donation to scam artisits of canada -haha
Posted by: Christopher | Dec 15, 2021 2:53:21 AM
My grandma got taken for $49,387. Was the last money she has left. When she found out about it she had a heart attack and is still in the hospital. I hope these people burn
Posted by: HarryCarter | Dec 15, 2021 5:00:50 AM
I just dont know how these slimes balls can do this to seniors or anyone else,have they no grandparents.................if these people get caught they should get ten to fifteen years in prison,but oh no,.this is Canada the good thats is good for the crooks not the victim.....
Posted by: Jozi | Dec 15, 2021 8:18:06 AM
Never give anyone any information on the phone if you are not sure who they are. Just hang up. Make sure you check your references by calling direct to the company . Never give your credit card number over the phone or email. Do not sound angry over the phone. NEVER SEND MONEY UNTIL YOU VERIFY THE INFORMATION. SAY NO ITS EASIER.
Posted by: Jozi | Dec 15, 2021 8:28:30 AM
To our seniors please to do not send money to anyone. Check the details out yourself before doing anything. DO NOT SEND MONEY PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR FAMILY FIRST OR THE COMPANY IN WHICH THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.
Report them if you can...if the number that is being displayed as unknown caller or private number than do not answer anything and check on their information ,if they give you any and report them. If they do not give you information than HANG UP.
Posted by: Robert Smith | Dec 15, 2021 10:04:34 AM
"Work from Home"....Scams... Make beautiful bracelets, necklaces, jewelery in the comfort of your own home...No nine to five job with a demanding boss...Work in your pyjamas, etc, etc... All kinds of encouraging suggestions, to make good money. Well I was "Stung" a short while ago, sent $72.95 for their starter kit of two or three little packages of beads of different color, unclear instructions as to how to assemble, must be of their materials, must be made according to exact measurements and design, must be mailed in to evaluate,...on and on,...I can't believe I fell for this scam....I sure need extra money, as I am trying to get by on a small pension per month. I never did complete their stupid bracelets, which better can be purchased at any dollar stores throughout this land....Oh well, live and learn I guess, but that's it...Beware of these "quick cash" ads.....Thank you....R.Smith....Bradford Ontario. Canada....
Posted by: C.A. | Dec 15, 2021 11:15:29 AM
My in-laws were hit by this scam. They got a total of 3 or 4 phone calls over 3 or 4 days. First from the 'grandson' then from the 'lawyer' and then an 'assistant'. In the end they lost $13,000 total. The kicker is the only real grandson they have is a pastor who is currently on a mission overseas. These people are really convincing. Never give out personal info over the phone and always confirm these 'stories' with family.
Posted by: Katia | Dec 15, 2021 7:12:39 PM
i cant believe they would do that to helpless seniors! they do nothing wrong to them and just because of some of their memory loss doesn't mean you have a right to do that. I think that every senior should have a caller id.it is very sad.............
Posted by: Peabody | Dec 15, 2021 8:40:36 PM
Somebody posted that they can't believe scammers would do this to seniors. Well, they're scammers and view anybody as a potential way to make some quick cash. Haven't you ever heard of a "senior's discount"..? That's an inside joke in many trades, meaning they double the price and take off 25%... There's an entire industry out there designed to legally rip off seniors e.g. unecessary repairs/replacement of cars, jewelry cleaning/repair, large appliances, carpeting, roofing, gardening, electrical work, etc. etc. -- and needless purchases -- often they're too trusting or a little intimidated to flatly say "no".
Best thing is to talk with your folks/grandfolks and try to get them to make sure another family member is involved whenever negotiating any work, or making large purchase, etc. Their eye sight usually isn't too good, use that as an excuse. Often you can scare them into doing it with the truth -- make sure you get to them first or some one else will beat you to it....
Posted by: Grr!!! | Dec 15, 2021 10:57:08 PM
My mom is getting up there in age and it seems like her street smarts are sadly fading away. She still sells real estate but one of her clients, a real salesman, convinced her that instead of just paying her commission, he wanted her to take a look at his products and maybe they could work something out. I feel he probably leaned on her being her client and all, and in the end she bought off of him an air purifier and water filtration unit. The cost ended up being twice her commission. Wish I was there. The value of what she bought shouldn't have been more than $100 all in. She probably felt she couldn't say no. I'll show him no if I ever run into that slimeball!
Posted by: old but not out | Dec 16, 2021 2:40:25 PM
Thanks, Peabody for telling it as it is -- (and for typing in a way that is actually legible). Yes, talk with your folks, people. We don't need to scare them to death but just warn them that there is nothing sold over the phone or at the door that you can't get cheaper at a big box store or reputable dealer -- and those guys don't have to solicit by phone or at the door... only the bad guys do that because they're anonimous. Honest people don't need to be anonimous.