Police warn seniors of grandparent phone scam

Con artists are targeting area seniors in what is known as the grandparent scam, police say.

Thunder Bay Police Service officials report that the ongoing scam targets seniors who have grandchildren. A caller usually acts as a lawyer representing the potential victim’s grandchild. The scammer tells the grandparent that their grandchild has been involved in an accident and had been drinking.

The caller will then say the grandchild is in jail and needs the grandparent to wire money to help with legal fees.

Police say the caller will pursuade the grandparent not to call anyone else to verify the story. The caller will also rush the intended victim, telling t hem the money is needed right away.

Police say they believe the scam is successful because the grandparents want to help their grandchild and often agree not to check with other family members.

Police are warning seniors not to wire money if they receive a call like this. Police encourage people who believe they’ve received this call to contact Phone Busters at 1-888-495-8501 and report the suspicious calls.