Halton Regional Police warn the “Grandson Scam” continues

The Halton Regional Police Service is investigating several fraudulent phone scams in Oakville and Burlington.

Over the past several weeks police have experienced an increase in reports of a ploy dubbed the “Grandson Scam”. The scam occurs over the phone and targets the elderly. The caller identifies himself as the elderly victims grandson, sometimes by name, sometimes by just saying, “Hi”, or, “It’s me”. The caller will then wait for the victim to say something similar to “Oh John is that you” thus identifying the grandson for the fraudster.

The caller usually indicates that he has been involved in a car accident or that is has been arrested and charged with a criminal offence and needs cash for legal fees. The fraudster in many cases has indicated he is calling from Montreal and has asked for as much as $48,000.00; however the amount is not consistent.

In many cases if the victim questions the validity of the call and the request, the fraudster will hang up.

If you have any suspicion or doubt about a call you receive similar to these fraudulent calls, police recommend you hang up or ask a personal question only your grandson could answer, such as his date of birth or address.

Remember the Best Way to Help Stop Fraud Is to Report It.

The Halton Regional Police Service is continuing to investigate this incident. Anyone with information related to it is asked to contact the Regional Fraud Unit at (905) 825-4777 Ext 8738 or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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