Grandparent scams on the rise in Newmarket, Aurora

Grandparent scams are in the rise in York Region and majority of the incidents reported have been in Newmarket and Aurora, according to York Regional Police. 

More than $350,000 has been lost in 60 incidents as of Feb. 17, police said of the scams that target elderly citizens. 

These kind of incidents are called grandparent scams because the criminals often prey on a grandparent’s bond with their grandchildren. Fraudsters will call and pretend to be a grandchild in distress, demanding money to get them out of trouble. Sometimes there is a second person posing as a lawyer or government or law enforcement official who tells the victim how to send the money. 

These calls may be repeated over days, weeks, and months as the fraudsters gain the victim’s trust. 

If residents receive a phone call like this, York Regional Police said they should: 

• never offer personal or financial information to the caller
• call the grandchild or family member at a number you recognize as their real number 
• ask the caller personal questions only your grandchild would know
• verify the story with family members 
• press the caller for details if they claim to be a government or law enforcement official
• never send money to someone you don’t know
• take time and ask yourself could this be a scam or does it make sense. 

Residents are also encouraged to share these fraud prevention tips with family and friends especially seniors and newcomers to Canada, who are often victimized. 

Employees at financial institutions are also asked to help identify people who may be the target of a scam and contact police if something is unusual or suspicious. 

If you have lost money due to fraud, you are asked to report the incident promptly to the York Regional Police Financial Crimes Unit either online or by calling 1-866-876-5423 ext. 6627. To report frauds where no money has been lost, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or by calling 1-888-495-8501.