Lethbridge locals have lost about $26,000 in the past three weeks to “grandparents scams,” according to Lethbridge police. The increase in cases prompted a warning from the police service.
“Police are asking the public to be aware of this scam and take steps to share information with their loved ones in the hopes of preventing further victimization,” reads a news release from LPS.
Police say there is an active investigation throughout Alberta involving one group who has scammed victims in multiple jurisdictions across the province with the scam.
The grandparents scam, or emergency scam, involves people calling and pretending to be a family member in trouble. They tell the victim they need money immediately and ask for payments via cash, or online methods. Police say the scammer often gives the victim reasons they should not tell anybody about the situation.
“In the Lethbridge cases, each victim was told their loved one had been involved in a collision, was in police custody and required cash to pay their bail,” LPS says.
Police advise residents to talk with older relatives about the scam and what to do if they are targeted. Tips include verifying the legitimacy of the story and the caller’s identity and LPS advises not to use any contact information provided by the caller to verify the information.
Bail is always paid in person at the police station, courthouse or correctional centre and officials will never pick up money from a person’s home.