NWL February 2023 Anti-Fraud Update

Do you think this is screenshot of:

1. A visitor to someone’s home?
2. A delivery person?
3. A stranded motorist?
4. A suspect in a recent grandparents scam?

For the answer (in case you hadn’t guessed it!), click on the link to this news report from February 3rd,  CTV News Ottawa (opens in a new tab) This winter the RCMP, OPP, and the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre (CAFC) launched a special campaign to raise awareness of emergency-grandparents scams involving seniors. Last year, a staggering $9.2 million was lost to these scams according to the CAFC. That’s up from $2.4 million in 2021.

How does the scam work? How can you protect yourself?  Go to the CAFC website for important safety tips. Grandparents scams on the rise (opens in a new tab)

And this reminder that scams can hit close to home….

Grandparents Scam’ Hits Ilderton

Feb 22, 2023 | 10:49 AM from Strathroy Today

“Middlesex OPP were called to a business in Ilderton on February 16th around 1:45 pm for fraud. The  person came to the business to get additional funds after paying an unknown person $8400 as a result of the ‘Grandparents’ scam.

The victim got a phone call from the unknown person claiming to be a law firm out of London. The caller told the victim their grandson was in a collision and arrested and needed bail money. A person came to the victims house to collect the money. The fraudster then told the victim an additional $11,000 was needed to grant bail.” Grandparents Scam Hits Ilderton (opens in a new tab)

https://twitter.com/k9_london/status/1629128993214455810 (opens in a new tab)