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RCMP warn of “grandparent scam”

Seniors targeted by fraudsters who claim to be their grandchildren in need of bail money
WES RCMP 2020 IMG_1608

WESTLOCK – Although none have been reported yet locally, Westlock RCMP are urging the public to remain vigilant as a “grandparent scam” that asks seniors to provide bail money to their wayward grandchildren is making the rounds of southern Alberta.

Westlock RCMP Staff Sgt. Al Baird is well aware of the scam, which sees fraudsters pose as a grandchild who’s in prison and needs a large amount of dough to make bail. A second individual, who claims to be in a position of authority, then calls the victim to pick up the cash.

And while Okotoks RCMP said in a recent news release they’ve received five complaints in recent weeks, Baird said so far nothing has crossed their desk.

If residents are contacted, Baird notes that the RCMP would never go to someone’s home to collect bail money for a prisoner or accept gift cards as payment and would never pressure someone to make a payment. In addition, bail is not traditionally a large sum of money and more often than not in Canada, people are granted release from custody without having to pay a cent. If residents are contacted to provide bail money, he recommends immediately hanging up and calling the detachment at 780-349-4422.

“These scams go around, but I haven’t heard anything locally yet. To be honest, I’ve only seen a handful of cases where people have had to come up with a large sum of money to make bail and there’s a formal process to it,” said Baird. “When in doubt, hang up and give us call. I want to assure people that we would never phone anyone up and say that a person needs bail money.”

George Blais, TownandCountryToday.com

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