OPP warn of rise in 'grandparent scams' and how to protect yourself
On Wednesday morning, members of the Ontario Provincial Police West Region held a news conference to educate the public on the rise of “grandparent scams” and how to prevent more people from falling victim to scams.
OPP have responded to 348 incidents involving emergency scams across Ontario in 2022. Many of those cases originated from the West Region in Lambton, Essex and Oxford counties, according to police.
In 2022 the Canadian Fraud Centre (CFC) received $530 million in reported fraud losses, said Det. Const. John Armit, with the Anti-Rackets Branch in Ottawa.
“That's a 40 per cent increase from 2021, where we had $380 million reported from victims' losses in Canada,” Armit added.
That’s only the reported cases. There could be more victims, as police explained many stay silent due to embarrassment or fear.
“Anybody can be victimized but it is targeted towards older adults the majority of the time,” said Const. Erin Fraser, from the OPP’s Crime Prevention - Serious Fraud Office.
Experts explained that typical scams can be a victim receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be a loved one who needs help.
For example, the caller could say that the person’s loved one was involved in an emergency.
Then the caller will demand money for legal fees, bail, fines, or other amounts owed.
Scammers will often have victims withdraw cash or have the victim send money through a courier.
“A person is not only left feeling the financial hardship but also the emotional effects, feelings of being exploited and vulnerable,” said Fraser. “And although they shouldn't feel this way, many feel ashamed as to what has happened to them.”
To avoid becoming a victim, police ask that members of the public check with a family member or friend before sending any money or information by phone or e-mail. If you get a call or suspicious email, OPP urge people to hang up the call and not provide any information or send money to the caller.
Police are urging the public to remember that legitimate agencies will never pressure you to give information or demand money over the phone.
If you are a victim of fraud or know someone who is, OPP encourage you to contact your local police department and report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) at 1-888-495-8501.
Even if you have not suffered financial loss, victims are still encouraged to report the scam to police.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
"It's a bit of a complicated pattern; we've got a lot going on," said Jennifer Smith of the Meteorological Service of Canada in an interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. "[As is] typical with weather, all of these things are related."
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Police tangle with students in Texas and California as wave of campus protest against Gaza war grows
Police tangled with student demonstrators in Texas and California while new encampments sprouted Wednesday at Harvard and other colleges as school leaders sought ways to defuse a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.