Emergency or
"Grandparent" Scam
Though the
“Emergency Scam” (or sometimes referred to as the “Grandparent
Scam”) has been around for years, the RCMP led Canadian Anti-Fraud
Call Centre (Phonebusters) warns the public to be on after
noting a marked increase in the number of complaints in the
last two months.
In
the typical scenario, a grandparent receives a phone call
from con-artist claiming to be one of his or hers grandchildren.
The caller goes on to say that they are in some kind of trouble,
usually a car accident, returning from a foreign country,
or even bail money and need money immediately.
A
typical call can go something like this:
Con-artist:
Hi, Grandma/Grandpa
Victim:
Hi.
Con-artist:
Do you know who this is?
Victim:
John?
Con-artist:
Yeah.
Victims
don't verify the story until after the money has been sent
as the caller specifically asks that they do not want other
relatives to know what has happened by asking “Can you please
help me? I'm in jail (or in the hospital / or in some
type of financial need). But don't tell Dad. He would
kill me if he found out, please sent the money ASAP. I'm scared"
Wanting
to help their grandchild, the victim sends money by a money
transfer company such as Money Gram or Western Union.
Variations
on the scam exist such as an old neighbor, a friend of the
family etc. but predominantly the emergency scam is directed
toward the Grandparents.
In
2007, 128 consumers reported this scam to the CAFCC. From
January to August 31 st 2008, 317 complaints were reported
to the Center with the majority reported (155 complaints)
in July and August 2008.
The
Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre (Phonebusters) was established
in January 1993 and is jointly operated by the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the
Competition Bureau Canada.
The
CAFCC is a national call centre where victims can report fraud
complaints. The information is used to assist in investigations.
The
Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre plays a key role in educating
the public about specific fraudulent mass marketing and identity
theft pitches. It also helps to prevent similar crimes from
taking place in the future through its ability to identify
emerging trends.
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