The RCMP is reminding people to be ever wary of Fraud after 2 recent cases of Grandparent Scams were reported in Manitoba.
On the 30th of October, 2 different reports came in one from Portage and one from MacGregor, where an unknown male caller claimed to be a lawyer representing their grandchildren.
The Caller provided the name of the target's grandchildren and told them they needed money for bail.
Both Causes had the Targeted senior meet the caller in person to exchange cash.
These cases show similarity to other reports of Grandparent Scams through October in Minnedosa, Kleefeld, and East St. Paul, but it's unknown if these cases are related.
the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre offers several tips to identify fraud:
• If you receive a phone call claiming to be from a family member in an emergency situation, hang up the phone and contact them directly using a phone number you already have – not one provided by the suspected fraudster.
• If the caller claims to be a law enforcement official, hang up and call your local police directly, using a phone number from a reputable source – not one provided by the suspected fraudster.
• Be suspicious of telephone calls that require you to immediately act and request money for a family member in distress.
• Listen to that inner voice that is screaming at you "This doesn't sound right".
• It is important to know the Canadian Criminal Justice System does not allow for someone to be bailed out of jail with cash or cryptocurrency.
• Be careful what you post online.
• Scammers can get details that you share on social media platforms and dating sites to target you or get names and details about your loved ones.
• Don't trust caller ID names and numbers.
• Scammers use technology to disguise the actual number they are calling from and can make it appear as a trusted phone number, also known as spoofing.
Victims of Cybercrime or Fraud, can also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
