Regina police are once again warning residents to be aware of the so-called “grandparent scam.”
In two separate, recent incidents, elderly victims are reported to have gotten calls from someone posing as their grandchild, requesting money from them.
The calls involved their “grandchild” in need of money to pay for lawyers, bail or to avoid further prosecution after being in some form of accident.
Both cases involved a “courier” arriving at the victim’s home to pick up cash.
Regina police are warning people to not send or agree to have someone pick up money, should they receive this sort of call.
Police recommend asking the caller a few questions that only the person they are claiming to be could answer in an effort to verify their identity. They also recommend hanging up the phone and calling the grandchild back directly, or another trusted family member, to verify the request and claims.
“Any kind of high-pressure tactics usually mean it’s a scam,” a news release from Regina police stated.
The Regina Police Service is encouraging people to speak with their family members and elderly loved ones to help spread the word about this and other emergency scams.