Scams continue to target Saskatchewan seniors

Saskatchewan residents likely have had this happen to them.

The phone rings and the recording on the other end claims to be Canadian Border Services, saying they’ve found a package in the person’s name. If the person doesn’t do what the caller says, they’ll be arrested.

Most people know that’s a scam, but some don’t.

Scam artists seem to be getting more creative all the time and it’s seniors who they’re getting to the most.

Sgt. Kelley Berting with the Regina Police Service’s Commercial Crimes Unit joined Gormley on Tuesday to explain some of the scams police have been getting calls about — including the “grandparent scam.”

“They will call and pretend to be (the person’s) grandson or granddaughter or distant relative and suggest that they are in some sort of difficulty. There’s that sense of urgency (and) they need money,” Berting said.

The grandparents will comply because they feel like it is their loved one because the caller knows so much about them. Berting says scammers can get information and names from social media in order to pretend they know the victim.

She says a big sense of urgency from the caller is usually another red flag.

“Anytime someone calls and makes any sort of allegation against you or any sort of subtle threat, that’s usually an indicator that it’s a scam call,” Berting said.

Direction to a specific location could also mean the person is being scammed.

“For example, ‘I want you to go to your financial institution and withdraw money and then go to a specific location where there is a Bitcoin terminal or money transfer service,’ ” Berting said.

Berting says if the recipient of the call feels intimidated, overwhelmed or threatened, it’s likely a scam and they should hang up the phone.

This time of year, gift card scams are more common. Berting said people should never purchase gift cards as a form of payment. If they’re asked to purchase a gift card, scratch the back of it and share the code, that’s a scam.